for the Slovak men’s national team at the 2021 IIHF World Championships. It was practically unheard of to have a player this young on this stage.

But for Slafkovský, it was a learning experience he is benefiting from now. His first practice with the team, he said he could barely make a pass, he was so nervous. And who wouldn’t be? But as time passed, he grew more comfortable and eventually, despite being the youngest player on the team, he adapted and began playing his game.

He played six games for Slovakia and didn’t register a point, but the fact he was there at all at that age was an accomplishment unto itself.

A year later, Slafkovský went to the Olympics, began the tournament near the bottom of the lineup and ended it at the top, scored seven goals in seven games and led Slovakia to a bronze medal.

That was the first time, he says now, that he felt the pressure of expectations, because it was an entire country’s