Will Wojtek Wolski play for Poland?
Miroslaw Minika - President of Silesian Ice Hockey Association came out with an idea to acquire Wojtek Wolski from NHL. Former Colorado
Avalanche player – Wojtek Wolski
(26), was born In Zabrze, Poland.
When he was about 3 years old, his family immigrated to Canada. There he
developed up his hockey talent. Thanks to that he could make his dream come
true and played by side with one of his idols – Peter Forsberg.
In an interview for magazine ‘Przegląd Sportowy’ Wolski said: "I am a Pole. For three years,
after the birth, I lived with my parents
in Poland, and for the next dozen, while being overseas,
I grew up in the Polish cultural tradition. But I am happy that I could develop my hockey talent in Canada - the country where
ice hockey is the national sport.
I do not know what my fate would have been if I had not been training overseas. "
Wojtek was drafted in 2004 as the 21st overall by Colorado Avalanche. He debuted in the season 2005/06. In the season 2009/10 he was traded to Phoenix Coyotes, then to NY Rangers, later to Florida Panthers. Recently, Wolski signed contract with Washington Capitals, where he can play alongside Ovechkin.
Why idea of bringing Wolski to Europe popped into Minkina’s mind? “Competition in the NHL this year will be paralyzed by the lockout. Hockey players will be looking for new clubs on the continent,” says Minkina.
Wolski, of course, will not play in Poland. Firstly – teams in Polish league cannot afford it. Secondly - lower level of hockey. „But in the Czech Republic he could play on his level. I am in contact with Wojtek’s father, as well as owners of the Ocelari Trinec club. We're talking about bringing Wojtek just to the Czech Republic. It's close to our border, so a team of Trinec will certainly gain new fans who came from Poland also just to see his compatriot on the ice. In Trinec play a few former NHL players like Radek Bonk. So Wojtek would have also good partner to play with,” says Minkina, who believes that the Czech Republic is only a step to the Polish national team.
„Wolski has not played yet in
Canada national team, or in Polish
colors. He hoped to
play in Canada, but the competition is so high that the chances of this are slim. For our team the
game was invaluable. It would be a great gain,” highlights Minkina.
The problem is the law established
by the PIHA, according to which Poland
may represent the only players who have appeared
in the colors of one of the
Polish Hockey League clubs at least for two years. „This is only the rule,
and each rule can be changed. Besides, what is there to say. After all Wolski is
Pole. Of course he wouldn’t play in
every game of the team. Moreover, during the World Cup Wolski is engaged in a rivalry in the NHL. But during
the Olympic Games is not. I hope
that this will lead us to success
in 2018, when the tournament will be held on the Korean Pyeongchang. Our team will go slowly out of the shadows. We
employed world class coaches – Russians Igor
Zacharin and Vyacheslav Bykov,
what is a clear signal
that PIHA is not interested in
half measures. I do not believe Wolski did not want to work
with such professionals. At the Washington Capitals his new ice-mate - Alexander
Oviechkin, who led by Bykov reached the world
championship. You can always ask
if it's worth it,” smiles Minkina who had the opportunity to meet
with Wolski.
Lockout
has started, so we will see what this idea bring.
Mateusz Brodny, Poland, eurolanche@eurolanche.com
22/09/2012 - 17:00
