Bruins' Pavel Zacha Scratched from Czechia's Olympic Roster

Injury keeps Bruins center from competing in Milan-Cortina Games

Published on Feb. 7, 2026

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Pavel Zacha, a center for the Boston Bruins, has been forced to withdraw from the Czechia Olympic team roster due to an upper body injury he suffered in a game against the Philadelphia Flyers on January 29. Zacha had been one of the first players named to the Czechia roster, but the ill-timed injury cost him a chance to play in the Milan-Cortina Games. His absence is a significant blow to Czechia's medal hopes.

Why it matters

Zacha has been one of the Bruins' most durable players, playing in 54 of 57 games this season and 242 of 246 games over the past three-plus seasons. His absence will be felt as the Bruins make a push for a playoff spot, with 16 games in 29 days in March. The timing of the injury is particularly heartbreaking for Zacha, who was looking forward to representing his home country at the Olympics.

The details

Zacha suffered the upper body injury on January 29 against the Philadelphia Flyers. He had held out hope that he would be able to play in the Olympics, but on Saturday he had to be replaced on the Czechia roster by Filip Chlapik of the Czech Extraliaga. The Bruins' next big game is on February 26 against the Columbus Blue Jackets, who are four points behind the Bruins for the second wild card spot in the Eastern Conference.

  • Zacha suffered the upper body injury on January 29 against the Philadelphia Flyers.
  • On February 7, Zacha had to be replaced on the Czechia Olympic roster.
  • The Bruins' next big game is on February 26 against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

The players

Pavel Zacha

A center for the Boston Bruins who was forced to withdraw from the Czechia Olympic team roster due to an upper body injury.

Filip Chlapik

A player in the Czech Extraliaga who replaced Zacha on the Czechia Olympic roster.

Casey Mittelstadt

A Bruins player who has been centering a line with Zacha and Viktor Arvidsson, drawing the toughest defensive assignments.

Viktor Arvidsson

A Bruins player who has been centering a line with Zacha and Casey Mittelstadt, drawing the toughest defensive assignments.

David Pastrnak

A Bruins player and Zacha's countryman who was a flag bearer for Czechia at the Olympic opening ceremonies.

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What’s next

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The takeaway

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