Northern Michigan University’s Tobias Pitka comes on the ice for a line change during a CCHA hockey game played against Minnesota State-Mankato at the Berry Events Center in Marquette on Nov. 28. (Photo courtesy Cara Kamps)

As previously announced, the Slovakian team includes Northern Michigan University freshman Tobias Pitka, a native of Poprad, Slovakia.

But more recent news was that Pitka was named team captain the weekend before the International Ice Hockey Federation event began in Minnesota’s Twin Cities, Minneapolis and St. Paul. It started the day after Christmas and runs through Jan. 5.

Pitka has three goals and three assists with 23 shots on goal in 14 games for the Wildcats this season. He is tied for fourth in NMU scoring with six points.

After Slovakia (1-0-0-1) suffered an opening loss to 2025 fourth-place Sweden on Friday, Chrenko opened his tournament tally with a spinning shot with 9:27 left in the first period after an assist from Adam Nemec. He doubled that total with 48 seconds left in the period, as Nemec set him up again in front of the crease on a power play. Andreas Straka also assisted.

Northern Michigan University’s Tobias Pitka, top, puts the puck in front of Michigan State's Trey Augustine, right, but the Spartans’ goaltender covers it up before the Wildcats’ Michael Burchill, front center, can poke it through the five-hole for a goal during their game played at the Berry Events Center in Marquette on Oct. 24. (Photo courtesy Cara Kamps)

Chrenko added a third goal on another power play with 6:37 left in the second period, assisted by Michal Svrcek and Luka Radivojevic.

Dustin Willhoft drew Germany (0-0-0-2) back within a two goals, scoring off an assist from David Lewandowski with 8:51 remaining.

Adam Belusko scored an empty net goal with 53 seconds remaining after Germany pulled goaltender Linus Vieillard.

Both teams continue play within Group A with games being played in St. Paul. Slovakia was taking on the home U.S. team late Monday afternoon.

Tobias Pitka