Interview with Former NHL Player on Commentating and the Czech Hockey Team

What are your impressions after the first commentated match?

It was an interesting experience. In the first third, I tried to figure out what to say and when. I also told Robert that I felt more comfortable from the second period on. I knew when to step in and how to respond to a situation. I felt it, but I don’t think it was terrible. It is up to the people to judge.

Did you evaluate the match with Robert Záruba?

He said it was good. Robert wouldn’t even tell me it’s worth it after the first comment (smiles). Rather, I described some situations on the ice as I see them. The ones that the audience can’t see, rather than me naming the players, which is obviously much harder.

How did the cooperation with Czech Television come about? And can it be longer?

I said something just as a joke, and Robert then wrote to me that we could do Brno. So I thought – why not? I’m in Moravia with my wife’s family, so I have an hour to get to Brno. And if it continues? I do not know. I have some career stuff to sort out. I had the opportunity to go to the championship for 10 days, but I don’t feel up to it yet.

How do you perceive the difference between the position of expert and co-commentator?

You don’t have much to say in the studio. In hockey, there are far more ways to express yourself in a certain situation, which is better. You are more in the match. But if you don’t see the situation clearly, it can backfire like a boomerang. In the studio you prepare for the situation, in live input you have to react immediately. But inI know all the boys, so it’s easier. I enjoyed commenting.

Were you allowed a few concessions? I mean a few expressive expressions.

It might have been on the edge, but I’ve been dancing on the edge for a long time (laughs). But good, I didn’t say anything that had to be shouted out or crossed out.

I saw you went to greet the players in the cabin on Thursday. You know a lot of them. Do you still miss the hockey environment?

Most cabin. Every hockey player will say that. When you leave her, a bunch of guys, beer and fun, it’s missing. I still have a year left on my contract, so I’ll try to get back.

Do you watch more hockey on TV now, from afar?

I watched the Czech extra league. When I was home in the afternoon, I played a game. Some hockey was good, some bad, that’s always the case. But what did Třinec show? To win the title four times in a row is really respectable.

What is your impression of the national team’s performance in the first two matches at the Czech Games?

Of course, mistakes will always be made. When there was one, Hrubec was excellent in goal and the fourth line played brilliantly against the Swedes, which actually set the tone for the third period. The boys scored three goals, what more could you ask for from them.

Paradoxically, can it be an advantage that not so many players from the NHL will come and chemistry will be created in the team? Only Filip Chytil will enter before the start of the championship.

It was similar in 2010 and we only had four NHL guys. Sometimes it helps, sometimes it hurts. It depends on how the tournament is going, how certain matches are played and what the team spirit is. We didn’t play anything extra in 2010, but we won the gold and everyone remembers it to this day. We were at peace. There were a lot of players on the team who went through that. Sometimes you fail at first, but that also leads to success.

Comments were awaited from Boston players after being eliminated from the playoffs. Their participation was mostly hampered by injuries. But is it a shame about Pavel Zacha’s apology, which was rather vaguely explained as personal reasons?

I don’t understand Zach for a long time. This is not about me beating my chest and being some kind of patriot. I also missed the World Cup. Sometimes because of an injury or I was terribly tired. That happens sometimes, but if he refuses four times in a row, there must be something else. He could have had the opportunity to play a lot. It’s just his problem that he didn’t go. They can make excuses for it with dad, but I didn’t get it.