PRAGUE, Czech Republic -- The Czech Republic ice hockey federation says Vladimir Ruzicka is back as the new national coach.
Ruzicka replaces Alois Hadamczik, who resigned on Monday following the team's quarterfinals exit at the Sochi Winter Olympics.
The Czechs were eliminated by the United States 5-2, and won only twice in the tournament.
Federation president Tomas Kral said on Wednesday that Ruzicka is expected to sign a contract through to the 2015 world championship.
As coach, Ruzicka previously led the Czechs to world championship titles in 2005 and 2010.
After he played for the Edmonton Oilers, Boston Bruins and Ottawa Senators in the NHL, Ruzicka captained the Czechs to the gold medal at the 1998 Olympics in Nagano, the first games featuring NHL players.
