Petr Cech is expected to make his Elite League debut for Guildford Phoenix next year after playing for their nursery side and their boss has revealed Cech trained with them secretly while at Arsenal and Chelsea.

GUILDFORD, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 13: Petr Cech of Guildford Phoenix during the match between Guildford Phoenix and Swindon Wildcats on October 13, 2019 in Guildford, England. (Photo by Henry Browne/Getty Images)
GUILDFORD, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 13: Petr Cech of Guildford Phoenix during the match between Guildford Phoenix and Swindon Wildcats on October 13, 2019 in Guildford, England. (Photo by Henry Browne/Getty Images)

Ice hockey is a sport Petr Cech has always had a passion for, playing it in his home country before he moved.

Returning to Chelsea as technical and performance advisor after he retired from playing at the end of his Arsenal contract, one of the best goalkeepers to play the game looks like he will play in goal for the Phoenix senior team in 2020.

Flames boss, Paul Dixon, told the Express, “He has been practicing with us for six or seven years but we never told anyone because we were never sure how his clubs would have reacted. He is just one of the boys, a down-to-earth guy.”

Petr was skating on thin ice for six years - Daily Express, Tuesday 24 December 2019
Petr was skating on thin ice for six years – Daily Express, Tuesday 24 December 2019

“I am delighted to have the opportunity to play with the Phoenix to get the match experience,” Cech told the club’s website when his signing was announced.

“I hope I can help this young team to achieve their goals for the season and try to win as many games as possible when I have the chance to play.

“After 20 years of professional football this is going to be a wonderful experience for me to play the game I loved to watch and play as a kid.”

Arsenal offered Cech a coaching role at the club at the end of his playing contract but were unable to compete with Chelsea’s offer.