Dukla Trenčín announced Friday teh hiring of Ota Vejvoda as its new head coach, effective instantly. The move comes as the team seeks to bolster its offensive capabilities and power play performance, currently ranked mid-table in the Slovak Extraliga. Vejvoda, a veteran coach with a distinguished playing career including a 1996 world Championship title, replaces the recently-departed Hämäläinen and steps into a program hoping to climb the standings. His first test arrives tonight with an away game against Michalovce.
“Ota is a coach who fits our current situation perfectly. He should primarily focus on improving our offensive system and power plays, which, according to references, was his strength (during his tenure) with teams in the Czech Extraliga,” said Sporting Director Mário Bližňák.
Hämäläinen was relieved of his duties as head coach last week, with Bližňák, along with Branko Radivojevič, Pavol Mihálik, and Peter Sojčík, temporarily leading the team. Mihálik and Sojčík will also serve as Vejvoda’s assistants. “We are also in talks with Branko about a permanent position on our coaching staff,” Bližňák stated.
Vejvoda, a former outstanding forward and 1996 World Champion from Vienna, most recently served as head coach in Kladno. His debut behind the bench for Trenčín is scheduled for today in Michalovce. Dukla is currently eighth in the Slovak Extraliga.
Trenčín, a team in the Slovak Extraliga, has appointed Ota Vejvoda as its new head coach, effective November 21, 2025. The move comes after the team removed Hämäläinen from the position last week, with a temporary coaching staff led by Mário Bližňák, Branko Radivojevič, Pavol Mihálik, and Peter Sojčík filling the gap.
According to Sporting Director Mário Bližňák, Vejvoda was selected for his expertise in offensive strategies and power play development, skills honed during his time coaching in the Czech Extraliga. “Ota is a coach who fits our current situation perfectly. He should primarily focus on improving our offensive system and power plays, which, according to references, was his strength (during his tenure) with teams in the Czech Extraliga,” Bližňák said.
Mihálik and Sojčík will continue as Vejvoda’s assistants, and the team is also in discussions with Radivojevič about a permanent role on the coaching staff. “We are also in talks with Branko about a permanent position on our coaching staff,” Bližňák stated.
Vejvoda brings a wealth of experience to Trenčín, having previously served as head coach in Kladno and boasting a distinguished playing career that included a World Championship title in 1996. Currently, Dukla Trenčín holds the eighth position in the Slovak Extraliga, and Vejvoda’s first game at the helm is scheduled for today in Michalovce.
Changes in team leadership can often signal a shift in strategy and potentially impact team performance, highlighting the dynamic nature of competitive sports.
