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As early as December 26, the Junior World Hockey Championships will begin, which will take place again in Canada after a year. Slovakia will have one of the best teams in recent years, one of the point leaders could be Jakub Demek.
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The native of Košice is the only draft hockey player from the Tatras this year. He was chosen by the Vegas Golden Knights in the fourth round. Last season, he played in the project of the national team, and he also played for ten duels for HC Košice.
In the current, however, he is already playing overseas, he left for the Canadian WHL Junior League. He was extremely successful in the team at Edmonton Oils Kings. He is the team’s second most productive player and the most productive foreign hockey player.
Several fans might be surprised by his drafting, as his name has not yet appeared in national teams at major events, so fans may not have known him. Participation in the junior championship will be its premiere.
You have worked in Slovakia throughout your career. What was the transition to Canada in the WHL Junior League like?
“It was more difficult at the beginning, as there is a smaller playground. I had to get used to some things, but I’m used to it and I think it’s already at the level it should be at.
What things did you have to get used to?
“It’s much harder to play here, there’s a smaller pitch. Everyone can win with everyone, the last can beat the first. It’s very balanced, the teams are at a high level. ”
And off the ice?
“I knew everything in Košice, every single place, I knew where to go after matches or trainings. I knew how to get home by bus. It’s a lot bigger here, I don’t even have a car. It’s hard for me to move, one of my teammates still has to take me to and from training, or when I want to go somewhere. It’s even harder. ”
Is there a different culture in something?
“For example, getting up, I got up at 9.30 yesterday, in Slovakia it is rather around six. Here he gets up at half past eight or nine, even though he goes to work. We have a more hectic life in Europe. ”
The WHL is known for demanding travel. How do you do it?
“Sometimes it’s up to fifteen hours by bus, it’s a bit much. For example, when we go to Lethbridge, it takes about six hours by bus there and then back. It’s not easy, but you can get used to it. ”
Photo gallery
Map of WHL clubs.
Source: eliteprospects.com
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In 25 matches, you have 29 points for 11 goals and 18 assists. Are you satisfied with your role in the team?
“I get enough space on the ice, in weakeners and power-ups or in general in all situations. I am happy for that and I hope it will continue to do so. ”
Does a narrower ice rink suit you better?
“In some respects, yes. In Europe, the course is bigger and I skate there more, I’m not the best skater. I can think about my head here sometimes, but it’s faster here. A smaller course is an advantage for me over the European one. ”
What else do you see room for improvement?
“Definitely in skating and explosiveness, the first three steps after the start. I still have work to do. It is also visible in the match, when I have a speed fight for the puck, I can’t keep up with the smaller players. I would like to change that and I have to work on my feet. ”
You were drafted by the Vegas Golden Knights this year. Did you consult with them about the transition to the WHL?
“I called them right after the draft, they appreciated that I was leaving for Canada, where they would see me. They were to watch a few games and I had special skating trainings with them. ”
Could you sign a rookie contract with them in the near future?
“I don’t think it’s far. They keep telling me that points are not everything. It’s also a game before and everything around it. I believe I can do it. I don’t set a time limit when it has to be signed. ”
Will you be in Edmonton next season?
“We’ll see. I have a little dream that I would like to move higher. But I walk in small steps, season after season. The World Cup is essential for me now, and then I can succeed with Edmonton. ”
Are you Edmonton second in the table, does team chemistry work for you?
“We are a very good team. We all understand it’s funny whether we are players or with coaches. We also have a very good team on the ice. We have several players drafted in the first round of the last two years. The team is at a very high level. There’s probably nothing to do here but the title. ”
Photo gallery
Jakub Demek
Source: oilkings.ca
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How do you feel about playing for the national team for the first time now?
“I do not perceive it until now. There was a pandemic last year, it was harder to select players. But I’m not here to pick them. I am very glad that I have now managed to get into the short nomination, it is still not final, I still have to fight. ”
Have you been in contact with coach Ivan Feneš? Have you talked about what your team roles could be?
“I was in contact with him, but we didn’t talk about the tasks. There is no final nomination yet, there will still be a few players deleted, it is not certain who is going and who is not going. ”
Nevertheless, you are estimated for the position of one of the first two centers.
“I would be happy to play in the first two fives. But we are going to represent Slovakia and not ourselves. I will adapt to the team, I will play where they put me. I will try to pass everything on to the team and fulfill what the coach will ask of me. ”
How would you describe yourself as a player?
“I try to be a two-way center, forwards and backwards. I really enjoy powerlifting. I indulge in mantinel fights or nice passes. I always liked them, unexpected and nice. I like that the most. ”
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Are there any hockey players nominated that you would like to play with?
“Everyone is very good. I don’t have any favorites I’d like to play with. The final nomination will not be about who will play with whom. We will go to represent Slovakia and we will each have to fulfill our tasks if we want to achieve any success. ”
What would be personal and team success for you?
“I do not want to say that we are only going to win against the Swiss. It’s still like we’re only going to win one match to save ourselves. You need to set higher goals. Of course, we will go from match to match, but I think we can torment the favorites, we can also beat them. Our team looks very promising. A small dream for me, and probably for the whole team, is a medal. ”
You have four teammates who are in a wider selection of Canada. Did you stab yourself?
“I have already told them that we see each other in the finals and the like. It will probably be best for us to avoid Canada, as we know what their team is. I know the level at which these four boys play. At the championships, it’s all about one quarterfinal match. ”
In the Edmonton Oil Kings team, he also plays with Luke Prokop, who this year admitted to being the first player with a contract with the team in the NHL to homosexuality.
“He was not here when I came here. They exchanged it for us about two months ago. We don’t notice it, he’s part of the team, a normal boy. No one in the cabin solves their orientation. He supports him, he supports him. We all understand each other. “ Demek answered the question of how it is perceived in the hockey cabin.
Isn’t this something your opponents use in “trash-talcs”? “I do not think so. When I was on the ice with him, I didn’t hear anything like that. Here in North America, they are very sensitive to such things, we all know that. If anyone were to such excellence he did, he thinks he is very well prepared for that. As far as I know, he is very mentally mature, ” Demek concluded.
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