You left Hradec almost at the top. How pleased were you to say goodbye to silver?
I was happy. My departure had been known since December, so I was under scrutiny. I whipped myself a whip. But I am happy that I showed what I am capable of giving to the team with my performance and result.
However, Mountfield’s ride was marred by the doping scandal of three exposed sinners.
Of course it’s an unpleasant situation. I’m sorry guys. I was injured at the time so I don’t even know what exactly happened. Even the boys themselves don’t know yet what will happen. They await the verdict. But I think that it was certainly not something targeted by them.
Due to injury in the semi-finals, you lost a record streak without an absence, which you stretched for ten years, a total of 659 games. Did it upset you?
I was primarily upset that I missed the most important phase of the season. I did come back for part of the final, but definitely not in 100% condition. It wasn’t a Roman girl after all. Is my streak over? That’s life, I don’t worry about it.
Did you manage to relax and get together over the summer?
I’ve been messing around for a while. I was with my family in the mountains in Austria. I always need to switch off a little from hockey during the summer. After all, it’s a team sport, I always meet the same 25 faces during the season. That is also why I prefer individual preparation, it is a psychological rest for me. As the years go by, it gets more and more stressful. But now I feel well prepared and in tune for the new season.
You are returning to Pilsen after six years. What has changed here?
The locker room is completely renovated, the gym is new. Custodians, team leaders and management remained. The staff has completely changed. But I still know quite a few boys, or I played with their parents, for example the fathers of Adam Dvořák or Benák. (Laughs)
What is it like to be back home?
Very pleasant so far. Hopefully it will stay that way. It always depends on the results. If we stay in the top half of the table, it will be great. We do everything to make the team work well. I hope it will be seen on the outside as well. We want to make it to the quarter-finals. And from a personal point of view, I believe that I will move again compared to last year.
With Škodovka, you celebrated the title and two bronze medals, but in the last three seasons the team did not get past the preliminary round. Do you feel that there is a hunger at the club to return to the front lines?
Definitely, from the first training session. Martin Straka emphasizes to us from the beginning that he does not want the situation from previous years to repeat itself. Nobody likes losing. And me especially. I will do everything to win and try to guide my teammates as well.
When you came to the west of Bohemia as an opponent, the fans didn’t exactly greet you with friendly shouts. How did you perceive it as a member of the club?
I think that’s part of it. I’m the kind of hockey player who always wants to win. I can be unpleasant on the ice, I don’t want to change anything about that. I was just working on another team. Now that I play again in the blue and white jersey, hopefully the fans will like me again.
Do you like the often tense atmosphere at the Pilsen winter park?
Yeah, like it. Emotions belong to sports. When given in tolerable amounts, it can be accepted. We’re not in a theater after all. But I also understand the other point of view. I have a two-year-old daughter and I know for myself that it is not ideal for children to hear dirty words.
What do you like most about Pilsen?
It grew on me here. Although I was born in Rokycany, I have been connected to Pilsen since the sixth grade. I moved here, I live here. And what do I like best here? The correct Plzeňák probably knows the answer. What we gave to the world. I don’t have to name. (smiles)
2023-09-12 18:59:50
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