# Ivan Ivan (ice hockey)

Ivan Ivan (born 20 August 2002) is a Czech professional ice hockey centre for the Colorado Eagles of the American Hockey League (AHL) as a prospect under contract to the Colorado Avalanche of the National Hockey League (NHL).

## Playing career

As a youth, Ivan played ice hockey for the club HC Vítkovice Ridera. He was a member of the U16 team from 2015 to 2018, appearing in 67 games and scoring 65 points (37 goals, 28 assists). He was promoted to the U18 team during the 2017–18 season and appeared in 14 games, registering six points (three goals, three assists). During 2018–19, he was a member of the U19 squad and scored 39 points in 43 appearances, also making one appearance in the Czech fourth-tier with HC Bohumín on a loan.
Ivan moved to North America in 2019, playing the 2019–20 season with the Cape Breton Eagles of the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). After playing 62 games and scoring 22 points for the Eagles, he returned to Czechia during the COVID-19 pandemic and appeared in five games in the Czech second-tier for AZ Havířov. Ivan then went back to Canada for the 2021–22 season, being the leading point scorer (65), goal scorer (31) and joint-assist scorer (34) for the Eagles in 61 games played. In 2022–23, Ivan led the Eagles in all three categories, having a career-best 90 points, 33 goals, and 57 assists in 64 games, being among the top ten in the QMJHL in points and assists. He concluded his Eagles career with 191 regular season games played, 177 points, 75 goals and 102 assists.
Ivan was not selected in the NHL entry draft. He turned professional in 2023, signing a contract with the Colorado Eagles of the American Hockey League (AHL). He appeared in 67 games and registered 31 points (12 goals, 19 assists). On 5 March 2024, he signed a two-year contract with the Colorado Avalanche of the National Hockey League (NHL). Although initially reassigned to the Eagles for the 2024–25 season, he was recalled from the AHL before Opening Night. He made his NHL debut on 9 October against the Vegas Golden Knights, playing just under 10 minutes. In doing so, he became the first NHL player in history to have the same first and last name. He was reassigned to the AHL the following day. Ivan scored his first NHL goal on 24 October 2024, assisted by Nathan MacKinnon and Casey Mittelstadt.

## International play

Ivan played for the Czech under-17 national team in 2018–19. He competed at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup in 2019–20 and later for the Czech U20 national team at the 2022 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.

## Personal life

Ivan was born on 20 August 2002 in Ostrava, Czech Republic. Both his father and brother played hockey. He told ColoradoEagles.com the origin of his name: "My dad's name is Marek, and his last name is Ivan. Since Marek and Ivan are both first names, people were always wondering whether his name was Marek or Ivan, so he made it easier for me. I like it and it’s special because there are not many people with my name." He grew up an Avalanche fan in Czechia after playing as them on a PlayStation hockey video game.

## Career statistics
### Regular season and playoffs

| | | | Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Playoffs | Playoffs | Playoffs | Playoffs | Playoffs |
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
| 2017–18 | HC Vítkovice | Czech.18 | 14 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2018–19 | HC Vítkovice | Czech.19 | 43 | 12 | 27 | 39 | 18 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 2018–19 | HC Bohumín | Czech.3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2019–20 | Cape Breton Screaming Eagles | QMJHL | 62 | 11 | 11 | 22 | 8 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2020–21 | AZ Havířov | Czech.1 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2021–22 | Cape Breton Screaming Eagles | QMJHL | 65 | 31 | 34 | 65 | 22 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2022–23 | Cape Breton Screaming Eagles | QMJHL | 64 | 33 | 57 | 90 | 52 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 2 |
| 2023–24 | Colorado Eagles | AHL | 67 | 12 | 19 | 31 | 20 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| AHL totals | AHL totals | AHL totals | 67 | 12 | 19 | 31 | 20 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |

### International

| Year | Team | Event | Result | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
| 2018 | Czech Republic | U17 | 7th | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | Czech Republic | HG18 | 5th | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2022 | Czech Republic | WJC | 4th | 7 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Junior totals | Junior totals | Junior totals | Junior totals | 16 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 |