Hockey World Championship: Czechs arrive in Denmark with Pastrňák and Nečas joining the team

The Czech national hockey team has arrived in Herning, Denmark, for the Ice Hockey World Championship, where they’ll defend the title they won last year in Prague. Their first opponents, Switzerland, were on the same flight from Prague.

Coach Radim Rulík's squad has already been boosted by star forward David Pastrňák, and another NHL standout, Martin Nečas, has confirmed he’ll be joining the team. After his Colorado team was eliminated by Dallas in the playoffs, Nečas underwent a medical check and is expected to link up with the team in Denmark on Thursday afternoon.

The Czechs open their Group B campaign against Switzerland on Friday at 4:20 p.m. They will then face Norway, Denmark, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Germany, and the United States.