The project of the future has been testing players’ skills since the start of the school

21.07.2018 / Daniel Dvořák

The eighth year of International Ice Hockey School started! However, the first day was different than any other year. Not only players had practice instead of a game in the afternoon, but they also can try a virtual reality. The virtual reality even tested players from the Boston Bruins organization (NHL team). Bedrich Scerban, general manager of Dukla Jihlava and IIHS, says: „Although players from my generation had fewer practices than players have now, we spent more time outside playing football, bandy, and dodgeball. Today, kids usually play computer games, and they lack the necessary sports experience. The opportunity that comes with the virtual reality is that kids can play a computer game and improve their hockey skills at the same time. The software can extract information which is interesting for coaches as well.” On Sunday (22.7.2018), Viktor Ujcik, Czech hockey legend, will visit IIHS, and he will be a special guest for afternoon’s game. Viktor Ujcik played in Finland during his career as well, namely in Karpat Oulo where he won the Finnish league twice.

Finnish part of IIHS flew into the Czech Republic on Friday evening. After that, they moved to Jihlava where the whole IIHS is happening. In the morning, they met with the players from the Czech Republic. Finnish team is made not only from KooVee Tampere players but from Nokia as well. Three of the players are transferring to Tappara Tampere after IIHS is finished.

As well as the first seven years of IIHS, players have one on-ice and off-ice practice in the morning and a game in the afternoon. However, the first game of IIHS is scheduled for the second day of the school, so players have two on-ice and off-ice practices during the first day. Another news is that players can try the virtual reality. During the whole camp, all 46 players will be tested by this special simulator which can extract not only hockey skills, but also cognitive skills such as reaction, and logical thinking. It is a very special thing to have the virtual reality at this camp because it is not on the market yet.

Although tested players were shy and scared at first, they had fun and would like to go again. Bedrich Scerban mentions: „Players were shy at the beginning because they did not know what to expect, but then they enjoyed it and had fun. As you (Tomas Lysy, PR worker, tried the virtual reality as well) know from your own experience, it is hard to get off.”

Kevin Coufal, IIHS player selected from Ledni Medvedi Pelhrimov, is talking in the same direction: „I enjoyed it so much, and the virtual reality is super. I would like to try it again. The 4 on 2 exercise where I could either shoot or pass was the best. The passing exercise was great as well because passing skill is important on the ice.” He also comments on his new Finnish friends: „I think that Czech players communicate more, and Finnish players play more individually.”

Bedřich Ščerban o virtuální realitě na IIHS 2018

Autor videa: Tomáš Lysý

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