2024-08-21 13:55:43
Juraj Slafkovsky has been plagued by minor back discomfort this summer, prompting the Montreal Canadiens to force him to sit out the Olympic qualifiers with Slovakia.
This is what TVA Sports journalist Nicolas Cloutier has learned, who confirms that the 20-year-old young striker’s injury is not too serious. The Habs made this decision as a preventative measure.
Slafkovsky could have helped the Slovakian team in their quest for a ticket to the 2026 Games. They will play three games between August 29 and September 1, in Bratislava.
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The president of the Slovak Ice Hockey Federation, Miroslav Satan, noted some difficulties in his discussions with the general managers of the National League (NHL). In addition to Slafkovsky, he will have to do without Tampa Bay Lightning defender Erik Cernak.
The country won the bronze medal at the 2022 Olympic Games thanks to a great competition from “Slaf”, author of seven goals in as many games. He should still be able to travel to Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo in 2026 if invited, as NHL players will be able to participate in the Games for the first time since 2014.
In the qualifiers, Slovakia will cross swords with Austria’s David Reinbacher, but also Hungary and Kazakhstan.
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