Feature Photo: IG / @zdarskyplameny

Martin Necas recently traded in his hockey equipment for coaching gear when he hosted his first youth hockey camp in his native Czechia.

The kids, who shared the ice with Necas, donned jerseys with his name and No. 88 on the back.

“It was something I had been thinking about for a while,” said the 25-year-old Carolina Hurricanes forward of the two-day camp. “We have so many young people in our country who love hockey, and I want to encourage them to chase their dreams.”

“They asked all kinds of questions. I was just excited to work with them, knowing that they love the game and that they are trying their best. That is perfect, to see how hard they want to work because the game means so much to them.”

It’s hard to say who enjoyed the experience more, the participants or the host.

“For me, it is always good to help younger people, who are either starting out playing hockey or have played the game for a little while,” said Necas, who will play in his sixth full NHL season, all with Carolina, in 2024-25.

“Maybe they have been watching us play in the NHL, so it is nice to spend some time with them and help them a little bit.”

Honing their skills with encouragement from a player like Necas was no doubt inspirational for those who participated in the camp, which was held in Žďár nad Sázavou, a town located 155 kilometers southeast of the capital city, Prague

The 12th overall pick of the Hurricanes in 2017 posted 53 points – third on the Hurricanes – in 77 regular-season games for Carolina last season.

But it wasn’t only on NHL ice where he made his mark.

Necas played a starring role for Czechia’s gold medal run at the 2024 IIHF World Ice Hockey Championship in May, where he contributed seven points, including a four-point performance in the team’s win over Sweden to advance to the final.

For Czechia, it was their first time winning gold at the tournament since 2010.

“It was unbelievable,” said Necas, of the victory that came on home ice. “We have great fans, so to be able to win this and share that with them is something we will never forget.” 

Hosting the hockey camp was just one more memorable moment from an offseason chock full of highlights.

“It was a great weekend. We were on the ice for six hours a day and I feel that it might help these kids work on their game and take it to the next level.

“It is especially nice when you show them something and you see they are trying it, learning from it, and most of all, they are having fun with it.”

The two days reminded Necas of his formative years in the game and the inspiration he found from watching celebrated Czech players perform at the top level.

“When I was young, I was watching all the NHL games I could, the world championship games, Olympics, the Czech league, and I was always looking up to those guys. They inspired me. I am just trying to do the same with these kids.

“Whenever you see guys that you look up to playing live, it is a great feeling. I didn’t get to skate with any of those guys, but they were very inspirational to me.”

With the camp over, and a gold medal in his trophy case, Necas has turned his thoughts to the upcoming NHL season.

The forward, who re-signed with Carolina in July, is eager to get the new campaign underway.

“It was a busy summer. There has been a lot of working out and skating, but a lot of media stuff after the world championship. The whole country went crazy after we won. I am feeling good about the season, and I am looking forward to getting back.”

Necas will have plenty of stories to share with his teammates.

Those who came to his camp will have their own stories to share as well.

“The kids were great. You are reminded of how you felt about hockey when you were their age and how you hoped you could play in all the big games.

“Who knows? Maybe in five or 10 years, we could play on an NHL team together.”