When the country became two , the Czech Republic team was allowed to compete at the highest pool ( A ) , and the IIHF ruled that because fewer players of the former Czechoslovak team were Slovaks , Slovakia have to start international play in pool C , the lowest group . However , Slovakia 's play in the lower pools won it promotion to pool A by 1996 . While the Czechs were allowed to compete at the highest pool ( A ) , the IIHF ruled that because fewer players of the former Czechoslovak team were Slovaks , Slovakia would be required to start international play in Pool C. However , Slovakia 's play in the lower pools won it promotion to pool A by 1996 .