If we do not wake up, we will have long-lasting problems, says Lener

Photo: Tomas Polak, eSports.cz

Exclusive interview with Slavomir Lener

Q: The U20 national team secured their spot in the Elite division after beating Germany by the goal with less than one minute to go. What did you think of the game?

A: This game was very tough psychically. No one can imagine what our guys went through. It is true that they alone got themselves to that position. However, I really appreciated our team believed in themselves. They were twice down by one goal but fought hard to come back. I thought it was going to be overtime.

It is crucial that we secured the spot. We need to sort of wake up, we cannot think that we are still the best. On the other hand, it is very important to keep the pace with the top teams. It will be very hard for Germany and Norway to come back, because starting next season only one team advanced from Division I to Elite Division.

Q: What do think of the fact that the Czech team played the relegation round for the 2nd time in a row?

A: I would have a different comment on that.  In 2003 Sweden played a similar game like we did here against Germany. They were down by one goal against Belarus with six minutes to go. The loss would result in their first relegation in Swedish history. Eventually, they managed to turn the game over in overtime. After that game, a big bang followed. All the coaches, managers, agents, scouts and referees gathered together and discussed the way out. Their choices were to either wake up, starting up late morning practices, hockey schools and coach classes or say they already can do everything and will continue in the same way. The way Sweden chose was the more difficult one, but look where Sweden is now.

Q: Is Sweden the country the Czechs should use as an example?

A: Well, some of my opponents might say that I keep using Sweden as an example. I have worked there for four years and I know exactly how their system works. To work that way was beautiful. Everybody does what they are supposed to. Nobody cheats or looks for excuses or shortcuts. Now they played in the semifinals, but they could have won the whole thing.

Q: Can we expect a Big bang in the Czech Republic as well?

A: A former Swedish national team player, Anders Hedberg, told me here that we need to make a revolution in the Czech Republic. Well, we´ve had many of those the past.  However, we have to come up with new things and work more effectively. I have seen many great practices and good coaches in the Czech Republic, but we have to admit that there are places where coaches work the same way they worked 20 years ago. I can compare it to a 20-year-old computer. Now you cannot even start it. We must follow the world in the means of intensity and quality, like Canada, Finland or Sweden do.  Sweden is closest to us when it comes to mentality and playing exposure. They practice twice a day, and they do daily practice off the ice. They keep doing it the same way all year, while we practice in August before the start of the season. That should be our goal, otherwise we will have long-lasting problems. If we do not wake up, it will be bad.

Q: Do you feel the will to change the present situation in the Czech hockey at all?

I believe so. The will is there, but it is too small. It has to be a clear and outright decision which will be good for hockey. My colleagues and I have the will to change it. There are plenty of young, ambitious coaches I want to lean on. There are clubs that are on the right path. I can name e.g. Karlovy Vary or Liberec. Also Slavia built many youngsters into their team, eventually Sparta as well. These clubs have to be a pattern for the rest. The good young players cannot play marginally five or six minutes per game in the 4th line. If so, they will leave for overseas.

Q: What concrete steps leading towards improvement has already been done?

A: I have been supervisor just for a short period of time. We started up coaches’ workshops, creating instructional videos and short-time events, but it is crucial to sit behind the table with other experts as it is common in the NHL. All the things I said about Sweden are also valid about Canada. They were in a similar situation many years ago. They did not bring the medals from the juniors and chose the right way to go. Look only what a great competition they made out of CHL. It is incredible.

Q: What is your plan for the upcoming months?

A: My goal is to wake up the coaches, create better youth competitions and mainly to get the young players into the Extraliga and 1. liga. It is common everywhere. On New Year’s Eve in the Buffalo - Boston game that I attended, there were players on both teams who are younger than 20. NHL is now young and wild, they are not afraid to give young guns a chance. In the Swedish junior team there are players who play in the top line in the Elitserien teams. Calle Järnkrok is even a captain in the club! The youngsters get the chance and what is more, they are inexpensive. These things are unreal in the Czech Republic, but they have to be solved. It is a question not only for the coaches, but also for the managers and owners of the clubs.

 

 

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