yesterday 12:30
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During the preparation, Juraj Slafkovský also felt enthusiasm at home in Košice, when he had small supporters during training. In the case of Šimon Nemec, he is calmer. For the first time in his career, the 18-year-old defender is also training with his native Liptovský Mikuláš’s team A, where we visited him. He wore Santa’s latest shirt as a teenager, then moved to Nitra.
Player No. 2 of the latest NHL draft will go into two phases until the end of the week, then rest a little on a short vacation and continue on the ice. In mid-September he will move to New Jersey for rookie camp. Last weekend, the German made his dream come true when he was in England for three Premier League games.
There was chaos in the defense of 20, as if the boys didn’t know what to do, says ŠIMON NEMEC
Interestingly, you didn’t have your first training sessions with Team A in your native Liptovský Mikuláš until the age of 18. How do you perceive it?
“It’s interesting. After all, I moved to Nitra at a young age. Now I have six, seven training sessions with the first team. I’m happy to be able to prepare with the boys.”
What stage of preparation are you in?
“Now I have hockey as an additional sport. I go to the ice twice a week. My summer training is slowly coming to an end, maintenance training and exercises await me, and from next week I will go on the ice every day.”
When are you flying to New Jersey?
“I should be in Jersey on September 13th, on the 15th we are already playing a warm-up match against Montreal. It will be specific. First of all, it starts with the rookie pitch.”
You will definitely go with the determination that Juraj Slafkovský and Filip Mešár will have their “ass”.
“Filip has already made it to the playoffs once (laughs). It will be more difficult against Jura, but we’ll see.”
Did you get a plan from the direction of the Devils? Do they follow your preparation in more detail?
“A player development coach came to Mikuláš a week ago. He received a complete plan, took a picture of it and was satisfied. I also deal with a lot of administration for the contract bonus and similar issues.”
Photo gallery
Šimon Nemec during training in Liptovský Mikuláš
Source: SPORT / JANO KOLLER
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Do you think they take care of you a little more?
“Yes, it happens with players in the first round of the draft. After all, it’s the club’s biggest investment, double if it chooses a tall player like me. So far I’m satisfied. I think it will continue.”
Did you have to increase the intensity in preparation?
“I train a lot more than in the past. We immediately started the double phase. That’s enough, sometimes I only have weekends to relax. It belongs to the summer training. We are doing more anaerobic things, slowly moving from fitness to speed. set to.’
Some hockey players also use combat sports in their preparation. Haven’t you thought about it? After all, at least in the AHL, opponents will hunt you down like a rookie.
“I realize that, but I avoid combat sports. I’m not even attracted to watching them. I’m more of a fan of team sports.”
Slafkovský told us he had been thinking about the NHL since October. How are you? Do you count more on them splitting your season between the first team and the AHL?
“It will probably be split between the farm and the Devils. However, I go there with a clear goal: to win a place in the first team on the pitch. ”
Clubs often speculate on rookies and give them a chance in just nine games so they don’t have to pay them the full contract amount. Are you also counting on this variant?
“Exactly, but if I get ten points in those nine games, they won’t knock me down (laughs). I think nine duels are enough to show it.”
Did the club give you more details on the possibilities of defending the Devils?
“We didn’t talk about it specifically, we just thought I’d definitely stay abroad. Thank goodness the farm is on the other side of New York.”
Have you seen the competition in defense of the team?
“There are five, six stable backs, but you never know how it will turn out. For example, Dougie Hamilton has a nine million dollar contract and hasn’t been able to give even half a point per game.”
Several Slovak hockey players have experienced tough coach Lindy Ruff. Did you ask about him?
“Yes, I asked. Everyone says he’s a nice person and likes to support the game I believe in, where the defender can attack. I’m curious and can’t wait.”
Rumor has it that Ruff is tough, old school …
“We also had something similar in Nitra in Antonín Stavjaň. I’m ready for it. ‘
Are you improving your English?
“I study, I watch the series. Now I have been in England for a few days, even if the accent is completely different and incomprehensible.”
Photo gallery
Šimon Nemec during training in Liptovský Mikuláš
Source: SPORT / JANO KOLLER
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Sometimes it seems that with the popularity of Juraj Slafkovský you are a bit forgotten. Don’t you have that feeling?
“The first is always the first. He doesn’t look at the two in the same way as the one. He’s alive around me too, but not as much as around Jura, which I’m happy with.”
For years you have shared a fitness instructor with Petra Vlhová in the person of Šimon Klimčík. Were you able to train with the Olympic champion a few times this summer?
“We talked, now he’s going to the glacier. Each of us has a different training plan.”
Is it motivation for you to be the most successful athlete in Liptovský Mikuláš right now?
“The bar is high. Not only from Petra, but also from the water slalom skiers led by Michal Martikán and Alexander Slafkovský. On the other hand, it is more difficult to win a medal in an individual sport than in a collective one. There is no there is even no need to mention that Petra is currently the best Slovakian athlete. ”
Have you seen the matches of the under 20 national team at the junior championship?
“I saw two games played from eight in the evening. I only watched the recording of the others. I am disappointed with the result, but it probably could not have been done more.”
The biggest problem was in defense, where you and other leaders were missing …
“It is very difficult to replace four of the first six defenders. But the boys fought, they gave their all.”
Do you think you will ever play in the junior league again?
“If I play on the farm, I think they will let me go. When that happens, I’d like to be back in the youth national team. ”
Was ninth place after two debacles a slap in the face for Slovakian hockey?
“Maybe a little, because the quarter-finals are taken as an obligation. All in all it was a curious tournament, given that it was played in the summer.”
Didn’t the Slovakian team play hockey too open?
“I think we could have opened even more when we conceded so many goals. We could have scored more often. I felt like there was chaos in defense. The boys seemed not to know what to do. It went pretty well against the Latvians,” but in the duel with Canada it was often not known who was defending, which was immediately gifted by a great goal from Bedard after a ‘tackle’ with McTavish “.
What do you think of Connor Bedard’s performances, which clearly confirms that he is a great talent?
“I’ve seen his goals, he’s got some real bombs. That kid is somewhere else. Soon he should play in the NHL and dominate it too.”
You were at Premier Leauge football games last weekend. How did you like it?
“I’ve been a fan for a long time, so I wanted to go to Manchester United. The Premier League is an incredible competition. I enjoyed the three games.”
But United are hard to support right now …
“That’s right. I think he will be revived and next week will kick off against Liverpool. From the fans’ point of view, I really enjoyed the atmosphere of the Crystal Palace v Arsenal match. A small stadium, but every spectator lived football. . It was amazing. ”
EVERYONE WANTS TO GET INSIDE
Šimon Nemec moved up to second place in the draft with the national team and two years as a senior at Nitra. The club benefits from this by signing players with less money. “Playing now for less money can pay off in the future. Nitra has done a great job for many years. Everyone wants to go there to play. They have a new coach, I’m curious to know how he will play.” said the defender.
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