Eurolanche´s talk with Sandis Ozolinsh
The first European fan club of the Avalanche hockey did exclusive interview with the former all-star NHL player.Sandis Ozolinsh (*1972) was not only one of the best defenseman in
the Colorado Avalanche history, but
generally in the NHL too. He was an important part of then-young and new NHL
member in the second half of the 90s. He was drafted in 1991 of the 30th
place by San Jose Sharks. He spent first pro years there and won the goal
scoring stats (26) of all defensemen, when he was just 22 years old. He was
traded to the Colorado Avalanche before its inaugural season for Owen Nolan.
Sandis contributed to the win of the Stanley Cup in his first season as
the Av. He scored the series-winning goal in the double overtime in a game six
against Chicago Blackhawks. One year later, Sandis was a finalist for the
Norris Trophy. He gained 68 points, the personal record and finished on the
second place amongst defensemen. Unfortunately, the Avalanche management traded
him to Carolina Hurricanes during the NHL 2000 entry draft for Nolan Pratt and the draft picks (Vaclav Nedorost, Jared Aulin and Agris
Saviels).
Ozolinsh had appeared in six different teams between the time span of
2000 and 2008. He also played two games in the AHL. He did not play during the
first full-season lockout and finished his career in the Sharks jersey after
the season 2007/08. He suffered many injuries during his NHL career and has
never played the full season. After one year break, he signed a deal with the
KHL team of Dynamo Riga, his hometown. He has broken several team´s records,
appeared in All-Star Games (one team was
named on his honor) and finally leave the team three years later. Before
the current season, he signed a contract with Atlant Moscow Oblast of the KHL.
What are your memories on your
Colorado Avalanche career?
Of course, the first Stanley Cup. I really enjoyed playing on the team with
such great players beginning with Roy, Sakic, Forsberg, Kamensky. I really
enjoyed playing there. It is my favorite time of my NHL career.
How did you spend your day with
the Stanley cup in 1996?
Long story, but I did not have it.
Can you explain it?
No, long story. It was long time ago.
What was your biggest goal as the
Avalanche player?
I think the year we won the cup, the goal in the overtime in
Chicago. That kind clinched the series against Chicago Blackhawks. It was a
risky play, but worked for us.
Was it a shock for your,
when the Avs traded you?
It was coming and I expected those things. Shock or not, but I would
like to stay in Denver.
Then you changed a lot of
NHL teams. Was it hard for you?
It was harder for my family.
I read you own a property
in Denver. Do you come there regularly?
My kids are there. I go there once a while.
Do you think there is a chance
you will join the Avalanche staff in the future?
I do not know (laughing). I do not know what´s gonna happen
tomorrow. To be honest, I really do not know.
Why did you refuse the contract
offer by the Los Angeles Kings in 2008 and came back to Europe?
It was long a time ago. It must be a good reason and that´s
it.
Can you compare the KHL with the
NHL?
You cannot compare two leagues. First of all, one league has been run
for decades, the other league is in the fifth season. There are a lot of
aspects, the different in the game. But the idea is same of course. KHL is
forming every year and trying to bring it to the next level, to have better experience
for the fans and players. I do not think the KHL is trying to copy NHL. I
do not think that would be such a good idea.
What is your opinion on the
lockout?
I am not following it. I do not know issues what there. I do not know.
You are now 40. Do you want to continue in the pro hockey in the next season?
I do not know, we will see.
Tonight, it was a hard game for you with the unlucky finish…
We had many chances in the game and in the third period. However, they
scored and we did not, that´s a difference of the game. We are not
satisfied with the result. We are satisfied with our effort, but we have to
find a way to win a game.
According to the
official Avalanche Media Guide, Ozolinsh holds these Avalanche records:
- most single regular season goals by an Avalanche defenseman (1996–97)
– 23
- most single regular season points by an Avalanche defenseman (1996–97) – 68
- most all-time regular season goals by an Avalanche defenseman – 72
- most single playoff assists by an Avalanche defenseman (1995–96) – 14
- most single playoff points by an Avalanche defenseman (1996–97) – 19 (shared
with Rob Blake)
- most all-time playoff goals by an Avalanche defenseman – 18
- most all-time playoff powerplay by an Avalanche defenseman – 10
- most all-time playoff winning goals by an Avalanche defenseman – 4
- most all-time playoff assists by an Avalanche defenseman – 47
- most all-time playoff points by an Avalanche defenseman – 65
- Ozolinsh is the last Avalanche d-man, who scored a hattrick (6th December 1999, against Vancouver)
Focus on Sandis Ozolinsh
Ozolinsh played with #44 on his back in the game in Bratislava,
Slovakia. He played for almost 20 minutes and spent majority of his ice time on
the even game and penalty kills. He was trying to be mostly in front of his
net, where he did “massage” of the backs of the opponents. He played hard and
tough hockey in the defensive zone. In spite of that, he took a puck and came
to his offensive zone, where he passed it to his teammate, which tied a game.
Ozolinsh cannot play like in his best years in the past, but still could offer
the leadership, experiences and hard defensive-defensive hockey. Many teams
would like to have it on the roster.
HC Slovan Bratislava – Atlant Moscow
Oblast 3:2 (1:1, 1:1, 1:0)
Goals and assists: 13. Olvecky (Mikus), 33. Dano (Svarny, Olvecky), 55.
Kukumberg (Kytnar, Dravecky) - 19. Michnov (Ozolinsh), 31. Bobrov (Rybakov,
Dorofejev)
The home team of the Bratislava was leading the pace of the game for the
full time of the first period. The opponent from the far Russia could not even
to find a way in its offensive zone. The HC Slovan goalie Janus had not
enough work. The Slovan took a lead early in the second half of the period
after little scrimmage in front of goalie Khudobin. In spite of huge pressure, „the
Russians“ could open their score sheet. Ozolinsh took a puck in the offensive
zone, passed it to Minichov who took a wrist shot and tied a game.
The second period was much about mistakes of both sides. Goalies Janus
and at the other end Khudobin, had a lot of work. Players were nervous and got
more and more penalty minutes. In a little mess of the game, the visitors took
a lead for the first time in the game. It did not last long. The youngest
player of the game, Dano, was alone of the Khudobin´s net and finished the play
with a beauty. The score was tied after two periods of a tough hockey.
If I was talking about tough and maybe even boring hockey, everything
had changed in the third period. All time offensive plays brought more shots
and hits in the corners. The Slovan defense did enormous number of mistakes,
showed passes to nobody and almost contributed to the third goal of the
visitors. Surprisingly, it happened in Khudobin´s cage, when the Slovan took a
lead five minutes left to the game. In spite of the big pressure, the Slovan
goalie Janus showed tremendous saves. The Slovan won 3:2; the overtime should
be much fair.
Full
public photo gallery of Ozolinsh could be found here.
More exclusive
Eurolanche´s interviews here.
David Puchovsky, Slovakia, eurolanche@eurolanche.com
26/11/2012 - 07:59
