Who did you favor in the Golden Stick poll?
I thought Pasta would win, but over the years I’d rather give it to Ondra. He played great in the playoffs. He won two Stanley Cups, in the last three seasons he fought for them three times in the finals. He doesn’t have the same stats as Pasta, but he’s very valid for that team. He deserved it for what he’s been doing there for the last few years. And most importantly, he won those two Stanley Cups, because even though the Golden Stick is an individual award, it’s still a team sport. He does everything there, even what can’t be seen – he plays weakening, he finishes fights.
After the celebratory evening in Prague, together with other players from the NHL, led by David Pastrňák, you took part in the charity match Hvězda 2022 in Žďár nad Sázavou. How did this year go?
I think it was a great event. I wouldn’t mind if this became a summer rule and we could get together every year. Former football players also came. It was definitely something to watch. The money was raised for a good cause, which is always great. We feel good when we can help something like that.
In addition, in front of full stands…
Yes, we really enjoyed the event, it was sold out. A lot of people in a small stadium can make a big noise, and that’s nice. When the hall is full, the match has a completely different atmosphere.
Hockey players Tomáš Hertl, David Pastrňák and Karel Vejmelka during the announcement of the Golden Hockey Stick 2022 pollPhoto: Profimedia.cz
You appeared in the team of Martin Nečas. Were you able to choose in advance which team you would join?
I’ve been training with Neč (Martin Nečas – editor’s note) for the second summer, we’re very close, so I was counting on that a bit. We see each other every day, we train together, we go to the ice.
On August 24, you will play in Eden in the farewell match between Jaroslav Bednář and Marko Tomica. Two exhibitions await you in five days. Do you see it as a diversion for the season?
Yes, I do. I’m really looking forward to that too. I played a lot in Eden. I played with Tóma for two years, with Bedýnka for one. It will be nice to be in the cabin with them again. Being at Slavia and wearing their jersey is something I’m really looking forward to. I think it will also be a great event.
Will you start with number 93, with which you worked in Slavia, or will you stay with jersey 48?
I honestly don’t know. No one asked me so I don’t know what number they will assign me. (smile) If I have one or the other, I won’t have a problem with it. I still have the 93 jersey at home, so I’ll just take that one. (smile)
Ondřej Palát won the Golden Hockey Stick poll. He replaced David Pastrňák on the throneVideo: Sport.cz
You will start your 10th season in the NHL, in Prague against Nashville. This will be an experience of a lifetime.
Certainly. It’s at home in Prague, and also in the O2 arena, where I played in the extra league for two years. It’s special to me if it’s somewhere where I started. I’m really looking forward to it and I hope we win, it will be very important for us.
Do you expect to be under a lot of pressure?
Yes, but he’s still there. And the fact that I will be at home has to go aside, it won’t be a friend.
You recently signed with the Sharks for another eight years, and that’s going to be a long time. Are you thinking about becoming a team captain in the future? Although Logan Couture is the captain, you are already his deputy.
I don’t think much of it. I know I’m one of the leaders there and I act like it. If that opportunity ever arose, it would be beautiful. I am happy where I am and what role I have. Having “A” is a great honor. Couture and I are great friends, we solve everything together. Ten seasons is a long time, I’ve already played something. I respect that role and I try to do it as best as possible.
Just before signing the contract, information circulated in the media that your steps would lead to another team in the NHL. There must have been a lot of relief for the Sharks after the signing, right?
I felt relieved. There was a lot of talk about where I would play next season, which I have never experienced. I’m very happy with how it turned out and that I extended there for another eight years. The last few years have been difficult, so I hope that things will turn around and we will think of great successes again.
Tomáš Hertl during an NHL gamePhoto: Profimedia.cz
Can you tell which teams were interested in you?
I do not know myself. Nobody told me anything specific then.
You’ve already had a bite. Your team hasn’t been doing well in recent years and you haven’t played for the Stanley Cup three years in a row. Gone is Brent Burns, one of the stalwarts of the defense. How big of a lineup hit will that be?
We have Erik Karlsson, who has a similar role that Burns had. We still have some foundation, young players. When they are ready, we can fight for the playoffs. We leaders must help the young players as much as possible, they will have to work hard. I don’t want to be there for eight years without the playoffs.
At a time when you know that you will not advance to the knockouts – how demanding is it mentally? Because you know that you are practically not playing for anything anymore.
It’s not easy, but we play it for the fans and for ourselves. I hate losing, so if I knew from the first game that we weren’t going to make the playoffs, I’d still want to win. After winning matches, the atmosphere is completely different. My motivation is always to win.
But this year you added participation in the world championship in Finland, from where you brought home bronze medals. Was it a big enough patch for you for the not-so-successful last seasons overseas?
It was my first medal from the senior championship, so I’m very happy for it. I don’t want it to be the last big success, but it was very nice to come away with a pancake.
Is Czech hockey on the rise? If only because Kari Jalonen brought a completely different style to the national team.
I hope so, but it’s hard to say. I know we have good players, but we have to keep working. We need to bring up more good players, but it is not easy, especially at this time.
