HC Havířov Panthers

AZ Havířov is an ice hockey team in the Chance Liga (second-level league) from Havířov.

The city of Havířov was established in 1955. However the beginnings of ice hockey in surrounding villages date back to 1928, when workers began to skate on local ponds after their shift. The hockey club was registered in 1931 as KČT Lazy, named after the Lazy Coal Mine. In 1966 the club moved to Havířov and was given the name AZ Havířov after Antonín Zápotocký Coal Mine. In 1992 the club was promoted to the second level league.



In 1999 the club bought the Extraliga license from Slezan Opava. In the 2002/2003 season Havířov lost the relegation play-off against HC Kladno and was relegated to the First National Hockey League. Since that time the club was constantly haunted by financial problems. Finally, in January 2010 the club announced insolvency and the remaining games were lost by forfeit. According to the ice hockey federation rules, the club is automatically relegated to the lower division, i.e. the Second National Hockey League. As of March 2010 only junior-level hockey in Havířov existed. Later that year was the team reestablished. Now it is playing in the Chance Liga.