Rihards Bukarts Joins Slovak Team “Presov” After Lengthy Recovery
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A veteran forward has signed with the Slovak extra-league team “Presov” after a challenging period marked by health issues and a prolonged search for a new club. Rihards Bukarts is eager to contribute to his new team, despite their current position at the bottom of the league standings.
The hockey player joined the Slovakian team at the end of 2025, having maintained his fitness through individual training during his time without a contract. “I had health problems in the summer, so I couldn’t sign a contract right after the start of the season. The agent was looking for a good place and a club,” Bukarts explained in a statement released by the team. “In addition, last season was difficult for me – I had an operation and I didn’t play for almost a year. I needed a good season, I needed time on the ice to feel good again and enjoy playing. That’s why I chose “Presov”.”
Return to the Ice After a Year Away
Bukarts’ decision to join “Presov” was also influenced by a prior connection with teammate Mika Indraši. “We negotiated a transfer and I even played in the same team with Mika Indraši. We played well together and I knew that I will be a good partner in attack,” he said. The forward acknowledged the physical challenges of returning to competitive play after such a long layoff. “I didn’t play for six to seven months after the World Cup, but I spent about an hour on the ice every day. I’m probably not in the best shape and I’ll need time to get my stamina, legs and everything else back to normal.”
Facing an Uphill Battle with “Presov”
Despite a promising start with 1+5 points in his first six games, Bukarts and “Presov” face a significant challenge. The team currently occupies the last place in the league, trailing the tenth-place team – which secures league standing – by a substantial 15 points.
“I want to play hockey, help the city and the fans,” Bukarts stated. “Of course, we want to stay in the league, but our goal is to enter the play-off zone. We want to play, win, score goals and enjoy hockey.” He emphasized the need for a focused approach to improve their performance. “We are in a difficult situation, but we need a good series of matches and we can do it. We have to be more targeted in attack. We have to shoot from all positions and fight for the puck. We can’t win games with 18 or 20 shots.”
Bukarts’ arrival represents a potential spark for “Presov,” but the team’s success will depend on a collective effort to overcome their current struggles and climb the league standings.
