Petr Cech, a former Chelsea goalie who retired four years ago, has this weekend’s opportunity to win another trophy with Chelmsford Chieftains of the British ice hockey league.
Cech, who played goalkeeper for Chelsea and won four Premier League championships, five FA Cups, and the Champions League, is now living out a childhood fantasy by playing for the Essex side.
The 40-year-old, who joined the second-tier team last year, will play against Invicta Dynamos in the two-game National League Division One South Cup final.
After giving up football, Cech previously made an impression with Guildford Phoenix at a lesser level.
According to captain Callum Burnett of BBC Essex, “He’s added an air of composure and has fitted in with the group nicely.”
“He’s been pretty excellent in his previous few games, so we’re glad to have him in there, and we trust him,” the coach said.
Cech made his Chieftains debut in November against Oxford City Stars, winning the game’s man of the match honours.
Burnett asserts that despite Cech’s relative inexperience in puck stopping, goalkeeper team mates benefit from his past experiences.
We are aware of where he has been and his history, but he also recognises that this is a different sport from football and that it is our game.
“He imparts knowledge to us, and we all value it. He always nails the nail on the head, nine out of ten times. We value having him around since he performs a good job.”
Even wearing protective equipment after sustaining a depressed skull fracture while playing for Chelsea in 2006, Cech has continued to participate in the typically violent sport of ice hockey.
“I still feel that way because I want to put on a show. I want to triumph. I hate losing. It’s the same emotion I had when playing football “He spoke
