PRAGUE — Prague Castle is the largest ancient castle in the world. Built in the ninth century, it is the official office of the President of the Czech Republic. It has been home to kings of Bohemia, Holy Roman emperors, presidents of Czechoslovakia and perhaps one day soon, a Hall of Fame goalie.



In 1998, the Czech national hockey team returned to Prague to celebrate its Olympic gold-medal victory. Dominik Hasek, the perennial Vezina Trophy-winning goalie, was at the peak of hockey stardom both in North America and in his home country as he led the national team to an unprecedented run of success.



“Hasek to the Castle!” thousands of fans chanted at a celebration rally in Prague. Then-president Vaclav Havel called Hasek and jokingly told him that he didn’t know how long he’d stay in office, “as everyone here yells that you should go here.”



That might indeed turn into reality. Since retiring from hockey in 2011, Hasek...