Reichel Makes Czech Return

September 7, 1999 / 9:32 PM EDT / CBS/AP

Phoenix forward Robert Reichel will play for his hometown team this fall after failing to get a contract from the Coyotes, the newspaper Sport reported Tuesday.

Reichel, born in Litvinov in the Czech Republic, will play for HC Litvinov at least until Oct. 1, when the NHL season begins, the newspaper said.

Reichel, who earned $1.7 million last season, has been seeking a multiyear contract for more than $3 million a season.

"I think I have the right to get the salary I require," Reichel said, adding he would not return to the NHL unless his demands were met.

Coyotes general manager Bobby Smith declined comment. Last month, Smith said Reichel would not play for the Coyotes next season and the team was open to trade offers.

Reichel, obtained in a March 20 trade with the New York Islanders for forward Brad Isbister, played 13 regular season and seven playoff games with the Coyotes before becoming a restricted free agent.

His 69 points last season, including 14 in 13 games with Phoenix, were three less than Jeremy Roenick, who led the Coyotes. Reichel had 10 points in his first seven games with the team, then faltered during the playoffs against St. Louis.

Reichel has complained that Czech players, winners at both the Olympics in Nagano and at the last world championships, are not adequately paid in the NHL.

Reichel who has 209 career goals has skipped an NHL season before. After back-to-back 40-goal seasons with Calgary, and scoring at a 40-goal pace in the strike-shortened 1994-95 season, he failed to reach a deal with the Flames.

The following season, he played in the German Hockey League with the Frankfurt Lions. He returned to Calgary in 1996-97 before being traded to the New York Islanders for Marty McInnis toward the end of the season.

Reichel is not the only Czech to start playing at home this year.

Vaclav Varada of Buffalo will play for his native HC Vitkovice; and Ottawa's Radek Bonk a member of the gold medal-winning Czech team at the 1996 World Championships will play for HC Pardubice. Both players have contract disagreements with their NHL clubs.

Roman Hamrlik one of the NHL's best defensemen, may play for HC Zlin if he doesn't reach an agreement with Edmonton. Hamrlik is seeking a deal for at least $2.5 million a year, while Oilers GM Glen Sather has reportedly only offered a $2 million salary.