Interview: Hejda and Hejduk (1.)
Fanclub Eurolanche brings you an exclusive interview with two players of Colorado Avalanche.Eurolanche members met with Jan Hejda and Milan Hejduk
in Czech Republic. They were talking about both starts of their careers, the
biggest successes and also about the present and the future. The interview has
three parts. The next two will be published on Tuesday and on Thursday.
I
would start the interview with your beginnings in the ice hockey.
Hejda: It is long time, right Milan? (laugh)
Hejduk: Very long. Do you remember on it? (laugh) I was
drafted by Quebec Nordiques. They did not have interest in me. So I had played
in Pardubice, Czech Republic for four years. I went to Nagano for the winter Olympics
tournament and then the Avs suddenly had started to have interest. I signed
two-way contract in 1998 and I expected I would start in the AHL. I get into
the team, passed the training camp and stay here.
Why
do you think they signed a contract with you just after four years spent in
Pardubice?
I think it was a coincidence. They did not have good
year; was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs. They wanted to revive
the team with young players. I and Chris
Drury came there in that time. Alex
Tanguay was there too, but went back to the minors. So they called two
young players. I played solid in that season – I had started to play games for
the national team. Avs watched me somewhere and started to have interest.
Do
not you want to spend these four years somewhere in Canada instead of Czech
Republic?
It would have a sense only if I was 16 or 17 years
old. I started to play regularly for the men´s team of Pardubice when I was 17.
It would unnecessary to play juniors, when I had this chance. Our league (Czech) has higher quality than Canadian
juniors. It was good for me.
Jan,
you were drafted when you were 25. At all, did you expect it in this age?
I had problems with my agent. In that time players had
to sign in draft. He thought I am one year younger. So when my year was on the
draft, nobody chose me because I was not there. I decided to be a little bit
longer in Europe. I have started to play for the national team like Milan and
we also won Czech league. I had good season.
Later Buffalo drafted me. They told me they were not
going to change the team. They offered me two way contract, I should spent one
year in the minors. They had good team. But I decided to go to Russia, where I
had better financial conditions than in the AHL. Moreover, as an older player,
I did not want to spend year in the minors. It was unnecessary. Finally, I
spend 3-4 years in Russia.
Scout Franta Musil called me one time and asked me if
I would like to try NHL. I was maybe alone player on the international level
who had not tried it. It was enough for me in Russia yet. And when I will
sometime talk to my grandchildren about my career it would be shame to do not
try it in the NHL. So I tried it because of my grandchildren. (laugh)
So
when you were younger, you still did not expect you would be drafted?
When I was 18-19 years old I did not think about it
much. I was happy I could play in Czech Republic in the top league. I was
getting into senior team of Slavia Prague and spent there almost entire season.
I was satisfied. My agent did not sign me in draft, it was his mistake.
Do
you both remember on your first NHL goals?
Hejduk: Me, yes. It was my first NHL game against Ottawe. I
think we lost 3:5. Keith Jones
assisted me. He works now for TV channel.
Hejda: I remember too. Ryan Smyth assisted me from the corner
in the overtime in Los Angeles. Mathieu
Garon was in the net. I played with him in Columbus later. I think I reminded
it him. (laugh)
Milan,
when you came from Europe, you did not know English well. Was it hard for your?
Hejda: Nobody knew it from Europe in that time.
Hejduk: First months were hard. It is true the team tried to
help me. They arranged me a lector who tried to learn ne something for the
understanding coaches. I did not know what is going on at the start. Mostly,
the coach wrote instructions on the board in the locker room. I stood up on the
end of the row so I knew what is happening. It is strange when you do not know
the language. You sit in the locker room, they are talking and you do not know
about what it is. It is worse. At the other hand, it is the best way how to
learn language to fell down in this situation. You do not have a choice.
Hejda: I agree with that. I did not like learning at school.
Overall I did not like school and go there (laugh). Languages were not my favorite
part. I was thinking many times how hockey helped me to learn many things.
Adrian
Dater mentioned the conflict between some players and Eric Lacroix in his book.
There was a problem because Eric was a son of general manager. How do you
remember on it, Milan?
I read about it. It was nonsense. Eric Lacroix left the team due problems. I did not exactly know about
what was it. His father was general manager and took his son from Los Anegeles.
I later found out some players were not satisfied he got longer ice-time than they.
It was not good he was a player and his father a general manager. I had nothing
with it. It was players whose places Eric “occupied”. Eric was good player and
I do not think he got his position undeserved. Then they decided to trade him
to New York Rangers.
Jan,
how it was with your career next?
Buffalo traded me for the 7th round draft
to Edmonton, where I got entry-level contract. They made a fun of me that I am
the oldest rookie in the league. The start was not simple. I was looking how
they play to the Christmas time. I think every rookie has to go thru it, does
not matter how old is he and where he players.
They sent me to the minors before Christmas. At that
time, my career includes several world championships, some seasons in Russia and
Czech Republic. I had no needs to stay in the minors. I said myself I am going
to home. I said to my wife to pack luggage, we would be back in Czech Republic
for Christmas. She told me to wait next 14 days and see what would happen. So I
really went to the minors for two weeks.
Then I called back to Edmonton, because I wanted to
spend Christmas at home. It is good story. I called-up myself from AHL (laugh).
I came home and I was maybe lucky. Some player injured and I got into the pair
with Jason Smith. Later I faced best
offensive lines.
Where
did you feel better: In Russia, in Czech Republic or in the AHL?
It was big fun in Czech. Fun with players. But money is
not there. Man takes it like he is going to Russia to earn money. It is about
working there. I could not say where it was better. I do not count AHL, because
I played only five games there.
You
got in the NHL in the later age. How it was for you? Younger players could
better adapt on new issues.
I did not have a problem with the adapting in Russia,
nor Canada. When the player came from Russia to Canada, it is easier. If it
would be vice versa, it is other. People are not the same there. They do not
help you much in Russia. Everybody is looking at his life. When we came to
Canada, neighbors visited us and asked if we do not need a help. But I did not
have problem with the adapting.
You
spent an important part of your career in Columbus. It was not much about
winning. What did you like the most there?
I think Columbus is not bad hockey city. There are no
results and enthusiasm for wins. I am afraid the players said they are in Columbus,
so they are not gong make playoffs automatically. The pugnacity is disappearing.
The city is not bad for the family. It is safe, not so big, no chaos. I could
not say something bad. If they will start to win, it would be better.
Who
was your best teammate in the defensive pair and you want to have him in
Colorado now?
It was good with Mike
Commodore but I am not sure if they want him in Colorado, because we have
good defensemen. I am satisfied. I like play with Ryan O´Byrne. I would not change it.
David Puchovsky, Slovakia, eurolanche@eurolanche.com
19/08/2012 - 18:00
