Žilina

Vlci Žilina reached the top of Slovak hockey once, in 2005–06, when the club then known as HKm Žilina beat HK Poprad 4–3 in the Extraliga final. Michal Hreus finished that playoff run as its top scorer.

The years since have played out mostly in the second tier, where Žilina has been promoted three times, in 2000–01, 2021–22 and 2023–24, without the top flight sticking. What has stuck is the Slovak Cup, most recently in 2025–26.

Between 1993 and 1999 the club skated in the Czech Extraliga, a stretch that ended without a trophy but placed Žilina among clubs it would not otherwise have met. Peter Cehlárik and Marek Hrivík are among those who came through the academy.

Founded in January 1925 as ŠK Žilina, the club has changed its name more than once since, settling on Vlci, the Wolves, and its colours on forest green, grey, black and gold from September 2020. It plays before crowds of up to 6,200 at the Zimný štadión, known also as the Niké Aréna.

It plays against HK Košice, a meeting the Slovak game treats as a blockbuster without ever settling on a name for it.