Kristýna Pátková: Hockey Through A Different Lens

Kristýna Pátková as a youth player for HC Litvínov

From the small, hockey-obsessed town of Litvínov in the Czech Republic to playing on some of the world’s biggest stages, Kristýna Pátková’s journey is one of an unyielding love for hockey. Now a second-year forward for Linköping in the Swedish SDHL, Kristýna has overcome countless challenges—both on and off the ice—to carve out a career in women’s hockey while simultaneously forging a path in videography and photography, a passion she hopes to turn into a full-time career after her playing days.

Pátková grew up in the Western Bohemian town of Litvínov, a place that while unfamiliar to many outside of Czechia, holds legendary status in the country’s hockey history. Despite its small size, Litvínov has long been a powerhouse for player development, producing some of the most iconic Czech players of all time. At just six years old, Kristýna’s journey on the ice began when her parents bought her first pair of skates, intending for her to take up figure skating. However, her raw speed and tenacity were better suited for the high-paced world of hockey. By the time she was seven, she had traded in figure skates for slap shots and embarked on a journey that would take her across the world.

Growing up in Litvínov meant being immersed in a culture where hockey was more than just a sport—it was part of the town’s identity. Mentored by legendary figures like Robert Reichel and Andrej Ručinský, Kristýna was surrounded by a deep well of hockey knowledge. Reichel, a former NHLer and three-time Olympian, is a Czech hockey icon best known for captaining the Czech national team to gold at the 1998 Nagano Olympics. Having played over 800 NHL games with the Calgary Flames, New York Islanders, and Phoenix Coyotes, he returned to Czechia after retirement and became a respected coach in the Litvínov system. Kristýna had the privilege of being coached by Reichel, and his influence played a significant role in shaping her game from a young age.

Andrej Ručinský, the father of Stanley Cup champion and longtime NHLer Martin Ručinský, was another invaluable mentor. A staple in the Litvínov hockey community, Andrej spent decades coaching and developing young talent, including several future Olympians. He was not just a coach but a guiding figure for Kristýna, offering advice, technical training, and unwavering support.

“Litvínov is a hockey town,” Kristýna explained. “I was lucky to have people like Andrej Ručinský in my life, always helping me, training me, and even watching my games to give me tips. My favorite player? Probably Ivan Hlinka. I never met him, but he’s an absolute legend in Litvínov and one of the most influential people from our town.”

Pátková’s hometown stadium (named after legendary player Ivan Hlinka) and home of HC Litvínov

To understand the impact of Ivan Hlinka on Czech hockey, one only needs to look at his legacy. Hlinka was one of the greatest players in Czech history, starring for the national team in the 1970s before becoming a trailblazer in coaching. He was instrumental in Czechia’s golden era of international hockey, serving as head coach for the historic 1998 Olympic team that shocked the world by defeating Canada and Russia en route to gold. Hlinka also made history as one of the first European-born head coaches in the NHL, leading the Pittsburgh Penguins in the early 2000s. His tragic passing in a car accident in 2004 was a massive loss to the hockey world, but his influence continues to shape generations of Czech players—including those from Litvínov, where his name remains synonymous with greatness.

Growing up in such a storied hockey environment gave Kristýna an early appreciation for the game’s history and the level of dedication required to succeed. But even with a strong support system, her journey was far from easy. She quickly learned that being a girl in a male-dominated sport meant she would have to fight for every opportunity—a challenge she embraced head-on.

By the time Kristýna Patková reached her teenage years, her dedication to hockey was undeniable. She had already spent years developing her skills in the Litvínov system, training with some of the best players in Czechia. But as she looked to the future, she knew that staying in Czechia would limit her growth. She needed a bigger challenge, a higher level of competition, and the opportunity to prove herself on an international stage. That challenge would come in the form of a life-changing decision—to leave her home country and pursue hockey in North America.

Make it stand out

Pátková competing for the Czech U18 National Team

Kristýna’s journey to the United States was not an easy one. The move was initially her father’s idea—he saw the potential for her to earn a scholarship at an NCAA school, which would allow her to play at the highest level of women’s hockey while getting an education. However, the process of making that dream a reality was full of obstacles.

“My English was really bad at the time,” Kristýna admitted. “When I was in fifth grade, I almost failed English. When I applied to The Gunnery, [a fantastic program and one of the best boarding schools in Connecticut], I was rejected because of my language skills. I had to take the TOEFL test, and I only scored 32 points out of 120.” Determined to make the move, Kristýna spent the next year intensely studying English, pushing herself just as hard off the ice as she did on it. She would eventually re-apply to The Gunnery, this time, her TOEFL score had improved to 56—still low, but just enough for the school to take a chance on her. “I don’t think I was fully ready the year before, but when I finally got accepted, I couldn’t wait to be on campus,” she said. “I was joining one of my best friends, Noemi Neubauerová, which made the transition a little easier.”

Moving to the U.S. was a massive adjustment, both culturally and academically. “At first, I was completely lost,” she admitted. “I didn’t understand my homework, I didn’t know how to navigate the school system, and I was homesick all the time. But after three months, I started to find my rhythm. My teachers were really nice and helped me a lot.” On the ice, Kristýna continued to thrive. She would end up getting the opportunity to play for the Connecticut Jr. Polar Bears and later for Hockey Training Institute (HTI) in Utopia, Ontario in Canada. Her performances drew attention from NCAA programs, and at one point, she committed to Union College. However, another language roadblock appeared—her TOEFL score was just five points shy of the requirement for admission. Despite her strong academic performance in a number of other areas, she was forced to decommit.

Pátková Would Play A Total 59 Games For Vermont

With her NCAA hopes in limbo, Kristýna took a gap year in Canada, playing junior hockey and hoping for another Division I opportunity. It was during this time that fate intervened—University of Vermont head coach Jessica Koizumi came to scout one of Kristýna’s teammates, Natalie Mlýnkova. Instead, she noticed Kristýna and saw something special. “They had one open spot because another recruit had turned them down,” Kristýna explained. “I got an offer for a full scholarship, and I committed immediately. Half a year later, I was taking classes at UVM.”

Pátková reunited with long time friend and UVM teammate Blanka Škodová this season in the SDHL

Kristýna’s time at the University of Vermont (UVM) was filled with highs and lows, but one of the biggest highlights was the friendships she formed—especially with fellow Czech players Blanka Škodová and Natalie Mlýnkova. “I was really happy that I had Czech friends there,” she said. “It’s always special having someone Czech with me in a different country. No other country has humor like us—we always joke about that. Thanks to Vermont, Blanka became my best friend. We lived together for two years, and we are still very close.” While UVM was an important chapter in her career, Kristýna faced challenges when it came to playing time. “My coach didn’t see much in me as a player,” she admitted. “That was tough, but I kept working hard. I spent a lot of extra hours on the ice, either by myself or with our assistant coach Jessica, who helped me push toward my goals.”

Despite limited ice time, Kristýna’s relentless work ethic caught the attention of Czech national team coach Tomáš Pacina. In her sophomore year at UVM, she finally earned a spot on the national team for the 2021 IIHF Women’s World Championship—her first appearance at the senior level. Less than a year later, she played in the Olympic Qualification tournament, which she calls one of the most emotional moments of her career. “Playing in Czechia in front of a big crowd and qualifying for the Olympics for the very first time in history—it was unreal,” she said.

After a career defining season, capped by the national team call-up, her junior year at UVM was another difficult season in terms of playing time, but she remained focused on her overarching goal: ensuring that she retained her national team spot, and making the Olympic team. “I spent so much time training on my own,” she said. “I didn’t know if I would make the final roster, but I did everything I could to get there.”

Her dedication would eventually pay off—Kristýna was named to the Czech Olympic team for the historic 2022 Winter Games in Beijing, the first ever Olympic appearance for the Czech national team.

“Going to the Olympics was my childhood dream,” Kristýna said. “I still can’t believe that it actually became a reality. It’s absolutely my best experience and memory from my hockey career. I can’t even describe the feelings I had being there.” While the Olympics in China that year were closed to attendee’s and strict in its handling of athlete due to the COVID-19 pandemic at the time, she would go on to document her Olympic experience in a self-made film titled Play with Your Head Held High, available on YouTube with both Czech and English subtitles. But the Olympics weren’t the end of Kristýna’s success with the national team. Later that year, she was part of the squad that won Czechia’s first-ever medal at the IIHF Women’s World Championship, securing bronze in Denmark. “I had tears in my eyes,” she said. “We were making history.”

Kristýna would go on to compete in another World Championship the following year in Canada, where Czechia won a second consecutive bronze medal. She also participated in the FISU World University Games in Lake Placid, helping her team earn another historic bronze.

Pátková showing off her World Championship Bronze Medal in her hometown of Litvínov

After graduating from UVM with a degree in Film and Television Studies and a minor in Studio Art, Kristýna decided to continue her career in Sweden, joining Linköping HC in the SDHL—the top European women’s league. “I love not doing school anymore,” she joked. “It’s been really nice. I always loved Sweden, so I knew I wanted to come here. The mentality is different than in the U.S.—more European—but still not quite like Czechia.”

Adjusting to professional hockey wasn’t without challenges though. “The SDHL isn’t as professional as the NCAA in terms of structure and resources, so that was an adjustment,” she explained. “But it’s still the most professional league in Europe, outside of the new PWHL.”. Linköping remains a mid-table competitor in the SDHL. Kristýna has faced set-backs such as injuries, limited playing time, and adapting to a new life in Sweden. Despite these hurdles, she continues to build a life in the Nordic country. Outside of hockey, Kristýna has been wholeheartedly embracing Swedish life, even taking on the challenge of learning the local language.“Swedish is a nice language, so I’m trying to learn it as much as I can,” she said.

Pátková, now more than halfway through her second year in the SDHL with Linköping.

While hockey has been the driving force in Kristýna’s life, she has always had another passion—film and photography. “I graduated with a degree in Film and Television, so I started working in videography,” she said. “It’s something I love equally as much as hockey.” Over the past year, she has worked a number of unique events, such as covering women’s hockey as an analyst on local Czech television, shooting weddings, sporting events, and even earned a spot as a videographer for the IIHF, covering the Men’s World Championship. In 2023, she took a major step by officially launching her own business in Czechia, focusing on videography and photography. “That’s another life goal for me—to become successful in videography,” she said. “I want to keep working on it and growing my business after my hockey career.” Those interested in learning more about Kristýna’s fantastic work can visit her Website, YouTube page or can shoot her a message on Instagram @kp.production_kristyna.patkova

As she continues to build her career—both on and off the ice—Kristýna’s story serves as an inspiring testament to perseverance, adaptability, and the pursuit of dreams. Whether she’s playing in Sweden, representing Czechia on the international stage, or capturing stories through her lens, one thing is certain: Kristýna Patková is just getting started!