Medveščak presented KHL team

02 Aug 2013 | Alan Ilijic

Today at Esplanade Hotel in Zagreb, Medveščak's first team was presented in a press conference. The only Croatian representative is confident they can reach the playoffs and leave a certain mark in the league, as well as surprise some people.

In one of the most elite Zagreb's hotels, Medveščak was proud to present the team for their inaugural season in the second-best hockey league of the world, Russian-based Kontinental Hockey League. The whole first team was presented along with coaches and assistants.

"This is a big day for this club. This is a dream come true. But we still have a lot to do before the season begins and I will be able to calm down only when our first opponent lands in Zagreb. I'd like to thank the fans for pushing us when it was hard and believeing in this project", said the club's president Damir Gojanović.

"This was an interesting summer. After we've found out that we were going to be a part of the KHL, some players contacted us on their own and offered their services", explained Aaron Fox, sports director of the club.

The team's captain, Alan Letang, who is spending his 5th season with the team, stated:

"When I was first coming here I didn't know what to expect, let alone I would experience something like this. It's amazing what the club has accomplished in five years and I'm looking forward to the new season.

Jonathan Cheechoo is the biggest star to have ever come to play for Medveščak//Photo: IGOR ŠOBAN/MDV PRESS

We later on spoke to Boyd Kane, one of the newcomers to the team, who is looking forward to his first European season.

"We have a lot of quality here, a lot of guys with tons of experience. We'll definitely give our best and try to reach our goal, the playoffs. We have a lot of guys who play North American style, but also some who already have European experience. I hope we can surprise some people and go very far", Boyd Kane was excited about the start of the pre-season.

"My skating skills were a problem throughout my whole career, but that doesn't affect my game much. I work hard on it and always try to give more and help the team", he added.

One of the very few European players on the roster, Emil Lundberg from Sweden, who already has KHL experience feels Medveščak will be competitive.

"We'll have home advantage due to dimensions of our rink which will suit the guys from North America. Yesterday's practice was great, as well the one earlier today, it's an amazing feeling to hit the ice again. I'm still on try-out but that will push me even more to try to earn my spot in the line-up", Lundberg expressed satisfaction to be back on the ice.

Asked about the fans and whether he was nervous to play his first game in front of home crowd in September, he concluded: "I'm not at all nervous! I can't wait to play in front of your passionate fans, it's going to be something memorable, something you carry with you for the rest of your life."