Nearly 20 years after his departure from the Montreal Canadiens, Richard Zednik has returned to Quebec – this time as a pee-wee hockey coach!
The 50-year-old former NHL winger is now leading the Slovakia Elite Hockey team in a tournament currently underway. The team faced a tough start, falling 3-2 in overtime to the Cleveland Barons on Wednesday, February 13, 2026, according to Le Journal de Québec.
Zednik, who played 15 seasons in the National Hockey League with the Washington Capitals, Montreal Canadiens, New York Islanders, and Florida Panthers, is also coaching his son, Thomas, on the Slovakian squad. The team is scheduled to play again on Sunday, February 22, 2026, at 5:30 PM against the Adirondack Wings at the Pavillon de la jeunesse.
Zednik’s return to Quebec marks a new chapter for the veteran hockey player, who was traded from the Canadiens to the Washington Capitals in July 2006 for a third-round draft pick. His presence brings valuable experience to the young players as they compete in the tournament.
Here’s a glance at the tournament schedule for February 13th:
- 8:00 AM: Hungary Talent vs. Middlesex AAA Islanders
- 9:15 AM: Romania Wolves vs. Northwest Pioneers AA
- 10:30 AM: England vs. Saint-Hyacinthe Mousquetaires AA
- 11:45 AM: Équipe Chouettes Sélect vs. Outaouais Olympiads Women
- 1:00 PM: Nicolas-Gatineau Intrepid vs. Detroit Belle Tire AA-Elites
- 2:15 PM: Outaouais Intrepid vs. Maryland Team AA-Elites
- 3:30 PM: Hamilton Steel vs. New York Rangers AAA
- 4:45 PM: Québec Champlain Nord-Est vs. Grenoble Wolves BB
- 6:00 PM: Beauce-Appalaches Vikings vs. Rouen Dragons AA
- 7:15 PM: Québec Frontenac Nord-Est vs. Forillon Predators AA
- 8:30 PM: Boston Junior Eagles vs. North Shore Winter Membership AAA
As Wikipedia details, Zedník’s career was famously interrupted in February 2008 when a skate from teammate Olli Jokinen accidentally sliced his carotid artery, a life-threatening injury.
