 Czech hockey icon Jaromír Jágr had a large influence on Hemský's selection, to the point where he insisted that Hemský skate on his line.The two had previously played together on the Czech team that won the 2005 IIHF World Ice Hockey Championships during the NHL's 2004–05 lockout season.Hemský scored twice in the Olympic tournament, and the Czech Republic defeated Russia in the bronze-medal game.