yesterday 07:45
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Branislav Konrád left after the Olympic qualification as one of the biggest heroes of the national team. With certain performances, he caught victories in three matches and advanced to the Winter Olympics in Beijing. The 30-year-old goalkeeper moved to Olomouc with a smile, where he welcomed the biggest star of the Czech extra league, David Krejčí. However, in the last pre-season match, there was a shock.
At the end of it, a threatening situation occurred when the falling forward of Hradec Králové, Petr Koukal, cut his neck with a skate to support Olomouc. Konrad is currently in rest mode after the operation. He believes that he will reappear in the goal by the end of the calendar year.
It was as if someone had stuck an ax in my throat
How did the unfortunate moment come when Petr Koukal skated your throat?
“I was on the right side and I was looking to the right. In front of the goal was Koukal, who met for the hockey stick of our defender. He rolled over and kicked me in the neck with his heel. It was as if he had stuck an ax in it. ”
However, you kept a cool head and immediately skated to the substitute. What did you think at that moment?
“At first I thought I had something to do with trapezius muscle because I couldn’t feel my shoulder. But the guys on the ice shouted at me that I had blood there. As I pushed into place, my fingers ran inside. I panicked and skated quickly to the substitute. I lay down to be at peace and the custodians pressed a towel to my neck. ”
Did they sew you on the switch or in the hospital?
“An ambulance arrived immediately, they stabbed me to calm down. I don’t even remember the trip to the hospital. There I went for a CT scan to check if the blood vessels were damaged. I had three muscles cut in my throat, they had to suture the wound. ”
What damaged the cross section?
“The wound was quite deep. I also had a muscle cut that holds my head. Because it was a real blow, he cut my skate knife off my vertebra. Fortunately, only from the outside. For that I had cut superficial nerves, I feel my shoulder once, not once. It’s strange. Overall, however, it turned out well in the extent of the injury. If it hit me an inch further into the artery, there would be a disaster. ”
Did Petr Koukal write to you after an unfortunate moment?
“Yes, he wrote to me first, he apologized a lot to me. He denied me an early recovery. It was clear that there was no intention. Things like that will happen. ”
You are known for your positive nature and you like to turn things into a joke. How do you handle a difficult situation mentally?
“I am positive unless I come to the cabin. I’m already there and everything bothers me (laughs). Now I’m trying to focus to be okay. I’m not dealing with exactly when I will return to the ice, although, of course, I want it to be as soon as possible. It’s slowly getting better. I have to be patient. ”
Have doctors already indicated how long you need to take a break?
“They haven’t told me anything specific yet. I have a neurology checkup in a week. I have to wear a neckerchief for a splintered vertebra. I’m a bit like a robot. We’ll see what the check-ups show. They should put my neck down first, then I’ll start rehabilitation. I don’t want to say when I could return to the ice yet. ”
Were you also to see the teammates in the arena who started the season with two victories?
“I was just in the cabin. I’ll show up here and there, talk. I watched the matches on TV, even though the coach told me not to do that either. I’m glad the guys won both meetings. ”
Do you feel the mania around the biggest star of the extra league, David Krejčí, in the club?
“Definitely. Ever since he came, he has been talked about everywhere. It’s a pleasure to watch him in training, even though I haven’t seen much. He greatly improved our power play. An amazing hockey player. ”
What’s in the locker room?
“He is completely fine, quiet, but he can also joke. Super guy, he doesn’t excel at anyone despite having an amazing career in the NHL. ”
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