How did you get Czech citizenship?
–
Kevin: We have an overabundance of foreigners on the team, so one should always stay out of the lineup. So the management came to us with this proposal. We had no problems with this and it just took a lot of paperwork to get citizenship. Maybe it will bring us some advantages and we will have the chance to join the Czech national team, because we certainly would not play for the American team. Even now it won’t be easy to make your way through the toolbox.
–
Kelly: But we still feel the same way. We were born and raised in the United States, so we feel even more American. But our whole family is from here, so there is a lot of Czech blood in us.
–
Captain Radek Smoleňák promised to ruin you.
–
Kelly: He hasn’t told us anything yet, but it is possible that some contributions will arrive at the cash desks.
–
Kevin: Even if nothing like this is written in the price list, the rules can be changed on the fly (laughs).
–
🇨🇿 The Klímov twins received Czech citizenship
Kevin and Kelly Klím have a father and other ancestors of Czech nationality, they grew up partly in the Czech Republic, they speak the Czech language. But they have only now received Czech citizenship at the age of 25.
– Mountfield HK (@MountfieldHK) September 5, 2022
–
How does the Hradec international cabin suit you?
–
Kelly: Help other strangers who are here. We can act as a link between them and the Czech kids. Sometimes we translate something for them. In those three years I have already spoken. When I came, I understood, but I couldn’t say anything.
–
Kelly starts his third season in Hradec, Kevin the fourth. Was moving to the Czech Republic easy for you?
–
Kevin: Quite Yes. In our youth, we used to go to Kadana and Chomutov every summer and train there.
–
Kelly: It wasn’t a big change for us. We knew the language and the culture. I asked my brother what he was like in Mountfield. And he highly recommended it to me. The choice was easy.
–
During the conversation one of you is wearing a cap, otherwise it is almost impossible to recognize you. Are they still confusing you?
–
Kelly: Everyone in the club already knows us. But of course it has often happened that people got it wrong. We solved a bit with a tattoo, I have it on my right hand and my brother on my left.
–
Kevin: And each of us holds the hockey stick differently to make it easier for the coaches (smiles). But otherwise we are completely identical. Even in character and we like the same things.
–
Kevin: No, all with a girl. We both met in Quebec. But they are not twins (laughs).
–
Kelly: They are happy to travel and see the world with us.
–
What did you like so much about Hradec?
–
Kevin: Big city, teammates and the whole organization. We have great ambitions. We won the regular season last year, but we want to do even more in the playoffs.
–
Kelly: I fell in love with home games. The fans are absolutely fantastic and you can’t ignore them. I love playing for them.
–
Do you feel comfortable keeping it to yourself for almost your entire career?
–
Kelly: It’s great to play with my brother. In training we joke about who will score the most goals. We talked about extending the contract and decided to stay in Hradec.
–
Kevin: Coach Martinec also told us that we can still grow here. We have what it takes for even better performance. We are still working on each other.
–
Do you mind not playing together in the lane?
–
Kevin: I think it is better. We managed to get along.
–
Kelly: We will play where the coach puts us. I don’t care if he’s with my brother.
–
Your father emigrated overseas in 1985 and won the Stanley Cup. Have you ever played a sport other than hockey?
–
Kevin: No, hockey was a matter of course for us. It’s in our genes. We wanted to imitate dad. We played against each other, but he didn’t give us anything for free. He guided us well.
–
What advice do you currently have?
–
Kevin: Sometimes he comes to watch the game, but he doesn’t care about hockey anymore. He coached us until he was about fifteen, then he left it to our coaches.
–
Kelly: Sometimes he gives us some advice on how we could have made a better decision if we had had the chance.
–
Is your dream to emulate his successes?
–
Kelly: Of course. Who wouldn’t want to play thirteen in the NHL. The Extraliga is a great competition and you can get overseas from it, as has been proven in recent years.
–
Kevin: We definitely have a chance. I hope to be able to climb some Canadian points again. If I have a good season, maybe the scouts will notice.
—
