"We don’t neccesarily have to win all the games but if we play the hockey we want it will be fine"

08 May 2011 | Martin Žilinčík

He is the current captain of the famous NHL team New Jersey Devils where he has been playing since year 1995. One day when his career comes to an end his jersey will be surely hung under the roof of Prudential Center. Although Devils last season was a huge disappointment he raised his head and came to Slovakia to help Czech Republic to remain Champion. Patrik Eliáš.

Tomorrow you are meeting Russia in an important match. Who do you think is their most dangerous player?
I think that Radulov is their best player because of his do-or-die style and great puck handling. They play what they have to play to win every game and Radulov is sticking out for his style is somehow different from the others.

Are you surprised by the arrival of Alex Ovechkin?
A bit. I knew he had some problems with minor injuries throughout the season and so I’m slightly taken aback.

Could you say a few words about your last season you had in New Jersey? You collected the most points among your teammates but Devils didn’t qualify to the play-offs for the first time since the 1995/96 season. Why do you think it was so?
I think the reason was the stress before the season. The guys were unsure whether they would get new contracts or they would be traded elsewhere because the team needed money for Ilya Kovalchuk and it all reflected on our game. Also the new coach came and we had to find the way to him. We didn’t catch the beginning, started losing and we couldn’t stop it.

What about the injury of your elite forward Zach Parise? Didn’t that also have negative effect on your play?
Zach played first ten matches when we weren’t playing well. He indeed is the great player but I don’t think his presence could have had such a large positive impact on our game that we would qualify.

You are the only veteran in your team along with Martin Brodeur who remembers the last time Devils did not get to play-offs. Do you call that to remembrance sometimes?
It was my first season and I played just a few matches. They had called me to the first team from farm and what I remember is that I was glad I had a chance to play.

Who are your best teammates here in world champs and back in New Jersey?
I would pick Dainius Zubrus, Travis Zajac and Brian Rolston from Devils. Those are the guys I get along with nicely. Here at the champs the guys like Martin Havlát, Karel Rachůnek, Martin Škoula, Marek Židlický. We know and understand each other really well.

Do you enjoy playing in line with Martin Havlát?
Yes, indeed.

When you won Stanley cup [june 2000 and 2003] you brought it to your hometown Třebíč. Do you intend to do that also with the cup for world champions if you win?
We rather don’t plan anything now. It is too far. If that happen we’ll see.

There is not a team in history that won all the matches in the world champs. If they were rolling on all tournaments they lose in the final match. Are you aware of this fact?
No, we are not. And it doesn’t concern us. For the team is essential that we play from game to game. We don’t necessarily have to win all the matches but if we play the hockey we want it will be fine.

You represented your country on a few world championships, Olympic games and also in the World Cup. Where did you like the atmosphere the most?
Definitely here. It is near home therefore there is lot of our fans and they create awesome atmosphere.

You are married and you became father recently. Does your wife support you here in Bratislava?
No it is too far for them. Our daughter is too young to spend a whole day at the stadium. I hope they would have the opportunity to come next weekend.

They are staying at Jersey now?
No they are in Prague.