This is the launch of a new series, Spotlight, where we’ll take a closer look at the Ilves players and other staff members as well. The purpose is to introduce interesting personalities to Ilves fans and share their stories in their own words. Spotlight will follow Ilves throughout the 2024–25 season—welcome aboard!
In this episode the spotlight falls on 23-year-old Czech forward Adam Najman, who has already turned heads with his strong performances during a few pre-season games. Najman, who has also broken into the Czech national team, has had two strong seasons in his home country’s top league, and all signs point to Ilves bringing in a skilled yet hardworking center at just the right time with a one-year contract in Tampere. Let’s let the calm and polite playmaker speak for himself.
Najman is a center who can easily be seen as an old-school playmaker with soft hands. In addition to this, Adam Najman excels in faceoffs and plays a responsible two-way game. Adding to his unique style, the fresh Czech center is the only player on the team who plays with skate tongues folded forward. Can anyone dislike this player based on these details alone?
Mentioning the skate tongues brings a laugh from Najman. He doesn’t make a big deal of himself during the conversation, speaking with patience and calmness. The old-school skate fashion isn’t about acting like a rock star but purely about practicality.
– Haha, I’ve probably been playing with the tongues folded like that since I was around eight years old. It helped my knees bend a bit more, which improved my skating. This style has followed me throughout my career, and there’s no reason to change something that works, Najman explains.
More than equipment, Najman and the entire Ilves team have their minds focused on the important games ahead.
This week, the team kicks off their CHL season with two games at Hakametsä against the Polish champions, Unia Oswiecim, and the top Swiss club, Zurich Lions. Next week, Ilves will travel to Switzerland for two more high-level CHL matches, facing Lausanne HC and Geneve Servette.
The start of the regular season in the Finnish league isn’t far off either. Playing his first season in Finland and outside his home country, Najman has been adjusting to Finnish hockey during pre-season games. Last Friday, Ilves won 2–1 against TPS, and Najman was centering the top line.
– It was quite a tight game, but we found a way to win. Scoring two powerplay goals was a good thing, but we had too few shots overall, and I’m sure we discovered many areas in that game where we can improve before the next games, Najman says.
The Czech center has managed to play a handful of pre-season games after about a 5–6 month break from competition. At this stage, with the real games just around the corner, every player is still finding their best form, but Najman has already flashed his skills and has been particularly strong in faceoffs.
– I believe I’m getting into a good rhythm now. Next, we’ll start playing meaningful games, and I’m sure the whole team will be ready for those, Najman says.
From Hockey Family
Najman was born and developed his hockey skills in Jihlava, a city with a population of just over 50,000. The local team, HC Dukla, currently plays in the country’s second-highest league but has previously competed at the top level. Najman came up through the club’s junior system.
– It was special to play in my hometown. I feel like the club did a great job developing players, and we had some really good coaches. Overall, it was a great place to start a hockey career.
At the age of 17, Najman’s path took him over 200 kilometers away from home to Liberec, where he made his debut in men’s games at the top level, the Extraliga, and ended up staying with the team for six seasons.
His talent was recognized early on in his home country, as Najman played for Czech junior national teams in every age group, starting with the U16 team.
– Liberec also took very good care of me, and they gave me the chance to develop as a player every day. I can’t really point when it became clear to me that I wanted to be a professional hockey player because that idea grew in my mind slowly. I come from a hockey family, and hockey has always been top sport in our home. When I moved to Liberec, I realized that this could be an opportunity to get my shot. That was probably a turning point for everything, Najman recalls.
By ”hockey family,” Najman means that his brother, Ondrej Najman, plays professionally for the renowned Sparta Prague. Their grandfather, Josef Augusta, played hockey for Czechoslovakia at the Olympic level, and their uncle, Patrik Augusta, also had a long hockey career, which included a few games in the NHL.
– It’s been a huge help for me to always have full support from my family, and there are several people I can turn to for good advice on how to improve, Najman says.
Najman played his first games in the Czech Extraliga at just 17 years old.
– It was quite an incredible experience. In Liberec, we had a partnership team at a lower level, where younger players could get experience playing men’s games. Then Liberec had several injuries, and I was called up to play a couple of games. It was a big step up, and I realized then that I needed to get stronger to compete in battles, Najman says.
Najman also represented his country in both the U20 and U18 World Championships.
– Those were amazing experiences for me. We had some really good teams in those tournaments, but we didn’t manage to achieve major success. The biggest takeaway for me was getting the chance to play against the best players in my age group and face countries like the USA, Canada, Sweden, and Finland. Those tournaments opened my eyes to the areas I needed to improve on if I wanted to reach the top level, Najman says.
It’s Been a Dream Come True
Now, at 23 years old, the center has two strong seasons behind him. Last season, Najman tallied 12 goals and 33 assists for 45 points in 49 games in the Czech top league. The season before that, he registered 38 points. He has also playoff experience at the top level in his home country, with 45 playoff games already under his belt—quite a bit of experience for a young center. Over the past two seasons, he has also earned call-ups to the Czech men’s national team for the EHT tournaments.
– It’s been a dream come true, as it surely is for anyone who gets to represent their national team. It feels incredible, and it’s the same as with other achievements in my career—I’ve used those games to develop and identify areas for improvement in my training. I’ve also had the opportunity to observe how more experienced players train off the ice, and I’ve learned a lot from that, Najman says.
According to Najman, he always puts the team first, and now he aims to bring everything he’s learned into the Ilves locker room with winning in mind.
– I still have a lot to learn as well, and when this opportunity came to me early last season, I didn’t hesitate for a moment. I’m happy with my decision to come here and play because I’ve enjoyed it so much. Now the main goal is to get the team in shape during the regular season so we’re ready to succeed in the playoffs. I’ll do everything I can to help the team reach its goal, Najman says strongly.
When asked what kind of player he wants to be for Ilves this season, his answer is simple.
– I want to help the team win; Najman says and adds:
– Of course, I want to create scoring chances and be reliable defensively. However, I don’t want to focus too much on individual aspects. My goal when I came here was to help Ilves become a successful team, and hopefully, I can contribute to that.
”We do this for the fans”
One aspect of Najman’s play that has already caught the attention of Ilves fans is the center’s strong performance in faceoffs. He has been winning a high percentage of them in the preseason games.
– In Liberec, we were often statistically the top team in faceoffs in the Extraliga. There were many experienced players who were great at faceoffs, and they taught me how to operate in the faceoff circle. I’ve developed certain things I always consider when facing an opponent in the circle, and that helps me win faceoffs, Najman explains.
Najman also has praise for the atmosphere in the Ilves locker room, and it helps that there are currently six Czech players on the team.
– I think we have a great spirit in the locker room. If I need help with something, the players who have been here longer are helping me with everything. Especially in the beginning, it’s been great to have several players from my home country.
Najman is also aware that the Finnish league (Liiga) is known for its fast-paced skating, and he’s ready for that challenge.
– We’ve talked about it with the coaches, and skating is such an important part of the game that I want to keep improving in that area every day. Here, I’m focusing on skating and trying to get better at it every time we step on the ice.
For now, Ilves is playing its games in Hakametsä Arena, but the Czech forward is also looking forward to future matches at Nokia Arena in front of the fans, especially the local derbies against Tappara.
– Hakametsä is a great arena with a lot of history. Of course, I’m also looking forward to when we start playing regular season games at Nokia Arena. It’s fantastic that there are two teams in Tampere, and the local derbies will be a special experience. We’ve already beaten them once, and hopefully, we can do it six times in the regular season. We do this for the fans, above all, and I’m excited to play in front of them throughout the season.
Next up, however, Najman is focusing on preparing for the CHL (Champions Hockey League) games, which begin this week. First, there are two home games at Hakametsä, followed by a two-game trip to Switzerland next week.
– They will be good games and will definitely show where we stand as a team right now. Next week’s trip will surely help bring us even closer together as a team. It’s always good to gather as a group, and when it involves important games, it will strengthen our team spirit. Hopefully, we can be successful in the CHL games as well, Najman says.
Head coach Tommi Niemelä: ”A Skilled and Offensive-Minded Player”
We also had the chance to ask Ilves head coach Tommi Niemelä about his thoughts on Najman as a player.
– It’s still early, and we’re just getting to know each other better. The start has been excellent in the sense that Adam has an incredible attitude towards improvement and a strong desire to develop. We’re talking about a young 23-year-old player. Day by day, he works very hard to constantly become better, Niemelä says and continues:
– He has a deep passion for the game and high ambitions for where he wants to go in his career. He has come here to take those steps, and of course, we’ll do everything we can to help him achieve his personal goals. In doing so, he can also help us by bringing his best effort to the team. He’s a skilled and offensive-minded player but also very well-rounded, able to play effectively at both ends of the ice.
