Ivan Ivan (born 20 August 2002) is a Czech professional ice hockey player who is a 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).
As a youth, Ivan played ice hockey for the club HC VÃÂtkovice Ridera. He was a member of the under-16 team from 2015 to 2018, appearing in 67 games and scoring 65 points (37 goals, 28 assists). He was promoted to the under-18 team during the 2017âÂÂ18 season and appeared in 14 games, registering six points (three goals, three assists). During 2018âÂÂ19, he was a member of the under-19 squad and scored 39 points in 43 appearances, also making one appearance in the Czech fourth-tier with HC BohumÃÂn on a loan.
Ivan moved to North America in 2019, playing the 2019âÂÂ20 season with the Cape Breton Eagles of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). After playing 62 games and scoring 22 points for the Eagles, he returned to the Czech Republic during the COVID-19 pandemic and appeared in five games in the Czech second-tier for AZ HavÃÂà Âov. Ivan then went back to Canada for the 2021âÂÂ22 season, being the leading point scorer (65), goal scorer (31) and joint-assist scorer (34) for the Eagles in 61 games played. In 2022âÂÂ23, 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 10 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 2024âÂÂ25 season, he was recalled from the AHL before NHL season's opening night. Ivan 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, assisted by Nathan MacKinnon and Casey Mittelstadt.
Ivan played for the Czech Republic under-17 national team in 2018âÂÂ19. He competed at the 2019 Hlinka Gretzky Cup in and later for the Czech Republic under-20 national team at the 2022 World Junior Championships.
Ivan was born on 20 August 2002 in Ostrava, Czech Republic. Both his father and brother played ice 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 itâÂÂs special because there are not many people with my name."
He grew up an Avalanche fan in the Czech Republic after playing as them on a PlayStation ice hockey video game.