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Hlavaj will start Slovakia's bronze medal game vs. Finland.
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Samuel Hlavaj News
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Hlavaj will start the semi-final vs. USA.
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Hlavaj is expected to start Slovakia's semi-final vs. USA.
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Hlavaj will start Slovakia's quarterfinal game vs. Germany.
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Hlavaj will start Saturday vs. Sweden.
Hlavaj was the star of Day 1 of the tournament, standing on his head, stopping 39 of 40 shots to steal a 4-1 win over Finland. He was given yesterday off, but he'll return to the crease Saturday vs. Sweden. He'll have his hands full again, as Sweden rank second in the tournament in xG/gm (5.52) so far.
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Hlavaj will start Wednesday vs. Finland.
Hlavaj has spent most of the 2025–26 season with Iowa (AHL), where he’s gone 5-9-4 with a 3.33 GAA and .884 SV% in 18 games. He started all three of Slovakia’s Olympic qualifying games, posting a 3-0-0 record with a 1.67 GAA and .929 SV%, and was also solid at last year’s World Championships (2-3-0, 1.99 GAA, .912 SV%). He’ll have his work cut out for him on Wednesday, though, as Slovakia enter the matchup as +320 underdogs.
Minnesota has signed Samuel Hlavaj to a two-year, entry-level contract starting in 2024-25.
Hlavaj is an undrafted 22-year-old Slovak Netminder that played the last several years in Europe after two seasons in the QMJHL. He had a 3.10 GAA and .902 SV% in 28 games (8-20-0) with Plzen HC (Czech) this season.