The best Czech hockey player David Pastrňák was the main star of Saturday’s Legend Match in Litvínov.
The 27-year-old Boston gunner, who was nominated for the Hart Trophy for the most valuable player and the Ted Lindsay Award for the best player according to the NHLPA last NHL season, did not prevent the defeat of the Legend Team with the Alby team 8:9 with a goal and three assists.
“It was great fun. Of course, we thank the Litvínov stadium for the atmosphere, it was great. It’s great to play in the Czech Republic. It’s a shame that we didn’t make it to the end. But I enjoyed it and I’m glad that I was able to play.” Pastrňák told reporters. He last played a competitive match in the Czech Republic in September 2016 against Russia in Prague’s O2 Arena in preparation for the World Cup in Toronto.
He appeared in the starting line-up in one attack with twins Kelly and Kevin Klím, whose duel was also dedicated to their late father Peter in May. The game was preceded by a minute’s applause for the Stanley Cup winner with Edmonton in 1990. “We tried to kind of spin it around with everyone. I’m obviously happy that I was able to play with the guys and get to know them personally, rather than just watching them in the extra league.” Pastrňák pointed out.
From the second period of his selection, Petr Čech covered his back in the goal area. Pastrňák admitted that in the final act, the team did not hold the former goalie soccer star very much. “In the third period, we fell asleep a little and let him bathe the poor thing in it. Hats off to him, of course. After an incredible football career, putting it into hockey like this and also into goalkeeping. It’s no joke. Hats off to him, how he learned it ,” he said of the 41-year-old 2012 Champions League winner with Chelsea.
Due to problems with repeated concussions and the uncertainty of his future career, striker Jakub Voráček joined the Legend bench together with Slavomír Lener. “He was excellent. He could have a future in it, he was a great coach. It really suited him,” said Pastrňák, who enjoyed the exhibition from the gastronomic side. “I had Lithuanian sausage, it was delicious,” he laughed.
His summer stay in the Czech Republic with his family is coming to an end. “I will fly to Sweden shortly. My preparation for the season will continue there and I will fly to America in mid-September,” he said of the traditional stop in his girlfriend’s home country.
Only Pastrňák’s mother Marcela went to the exhibition, her partner Rebecca stayed at home with her two-month-old daughter Freya Ivy. “They were watching on TV. When they found out it was on TV, they didn’t go,” said Pastrňák, who is enjoying his role as a father. “It’s really cool. I’m really enjoying being a dad, it’s wonderful.”
The new season in Boston awaits him without Patrice Bergeron and his Czech teammate David Krejčí, who ended their careers in the NHL. “Boston’s legends are gone, they’ve been there for a long time, so it’s definitely going to be a big change. We’ll see how we deal with it. We found out last season that anything can happen on both sides. Our goal is just to make the playoffs and see Pastrňák said.
He suspected Krejčí’s departure from the NHL. “We haven’t written much over the summer. I let him be a little bit. Of course, I also have some responsibilities at home. But we are good friends, so during the season we talk about it somehow. It’s a shame, because I will miss him as a friend and as the player for us, too. But of course I expected it a bit, after all, he has a family and two children. The family must always come first and I think he has a big part in that,” Pastrňák added.
