It is not “merely” for the Olympics and the IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship that the company supplies its pucks. “We export pucks worldwide, including North America, Russia, and Europe – especially the Nordic countries. We have even shipped to countries you might not expect to play ice hockey, such as Mexico, South Africa, and Taiwan,” says Zubíček, adding that Russia’s top Kontinental Hockey League relies on Czech pucks. In North America, they have yet to reach the NHL, but are popular in lower or junior competitions.
Asked how many countries they have exported to, the Zubíčeks have to have a little think. “We’re talking around sixty countries,” they finally agree, noting that about 80% of hockey pucks are exported and the rest stay in the Czech Republic.