Tweet
Thanks to a poster @ another website, I was able to read an interview w/ Pavol the Pansy...
Richard Stilicha of hokej.sk sits down to talk to Pavol Demitra:
hokej.sk: Your team, the St. Louis Blues, managed to make it into the playoffs as the 7th seed of the Western conference, and in the first round you met the San Jose Sharks. Unfortunately, your team was unable to advance from the first round. What do you think was the main reason?
Demitra: This year was very difficult for our team. As opposed to previous years, the regular season didn't go well for us, and we had to struggle to get into the playoffs. We believed we could beat San Jose, but we didn't play the game we should have. I have to say this entire year our team sucked.
hokej.sk: This was your 11th season in the NHL. Can you summarize the season for us from your point of view?
Demitra: Of the 11 seasons, this was the toughest of my career. I was bothered by the injury bug all season, and just when I got back into shape I would get injured again. I felt better in the playoffs, and feel that I can turn things around in the upcoming World Championships.
hokej.sk: You scored the 500th point of your career this season, how many more points do you expect to get?
Demitra: It is difficult to say. Of course I would like to add to those 500 points. As long as I'm healthy, I believe I can score many more. It also depends on the upcoming strike. I'm only approaching 30 and believe I can have 4-5 more productive years.
hokej.sk: which fellow St. Louis Blues player do you play with best?
Demitra: I usually play with Tkachuk, and a third person is added to our line according to need. I fondly look back at the time I played with (Michal) Handzus and (Lubos) Bartecko. We were one Slovak line, and we all began in the NHL together. It worked well, and we scored some beautiful goals. The boys got traded away though to other clubs. If I was forced to name my favourite linemates, it would be Keith Tkachuk and Michal Handzus.
hokej.sk: you won bronze last year with team Slovakia. What chances do you give this year's team?
Demitra: the chances are always open. I think you shouldn't think about it too much and just focus on playing the best you can. We have a difficult group and we must play well from the start. From there we'll see.
hokej.sk: what players would you like on your line?
Demitra: of course Marian Gaborik. We practise together each year in Trencin. I hope that Richard Zednik and Marian Hossa will come join us also.
hokej.sk: Do you list the home ice team with Jaromir Jagr as the pre-tournament favourite?
Demitra: I don't think the home team in the World Championships will be the favourite. The Czechs will be under tremendous pressure with a lot of Czech media, and under such conditions, choking is very prevelent.
hokej.sk: can you compare the hockey atmosphere in the cities you have played in (Ottawa, Trencin, St. Louis)?
Demitra: It is difficult to compare, but I will say something about Trencin. I followed the Extraliga finals this year where Trencin became Slovak champions, and the atmosphere was tremendous. Everyone watched. In USA, hockey is for everyone a business, and in Trencin the people watch and play hockey out of love of the sport. They live and die with the team. There is nothing in the NHL to compare to the after game parties and celebrations that occur in Trencin.
hokej.sk: what will you do if there is a strike?
Demitra: If there is a strike, I will wear the Trencin colours in the fall.
hokej.sk: do you have any vacation plans?
Demitra: the first part of the summer break will be spent on the World Championships in Ostrava/Prague. Afterwards, my wife and son Lukas will go spend some time in Monte Carlo.
hokej.sk: do you play golf, what is your handicap?
Demitra: I play golf very often and love the sport. Last year I played almost everyday. I had a son which has decreased my opportunities to play. I have improved greatly in my golf game, and several times I managed to score below 100, and once even below 90. I think my game will improve with time.
hokej.sk: thanks for the interview.
I'll take excuses for 100, alex...
Richard Stilicha of hokej.sk sits down to talk to Pavol Demitra:
hokej.sk: Your team, the St. Louis Blues, managed to make it into the playoffs as the 7th seed of the Western conference, and in the first round you met the San Jose Sharks. Unfortunately, your team was unable to advance from the first round. What do you think was the main reason?
Demitra: This year was very difficult for our team. As opposed to previous years, the regular season didn't go well for us, and we had to struggle to get into the playoffs. We believed we could beat San Jose, but we didn't play the game we should have. I have to say this entire year our team sucked.
hokej.sk: This was your 11th season in the NHL. Can you summarize the season for us from your point of view?
Demitra: Of the 11 seasons, this was the toughest of my career. I was bothered by the injury bug all season, and just when I got back into shape I would get injured again. I felt better in the playoffs, and feel that I can turn things around in the upcoming World Championships.
hokej.sk: You scored the 500th point of your career this season, how many more points do you expect to get?
Demitra: It is difficult to say. Of course I would like to add to those 500 points. As long as I'm healthy, I believe I can score many more. It also depends on the upcoming strike. I'm only approaching 30 and believe I can have 4-5 more productive years.
hokej.sk: which fellow St. Louis Blues player do you play with best?
Demitra: I usually play with Tkachuk, and a third person is added to our line according to need. I fondly look back at the time I played with (Michal) Handzus and (Lubos) Bartecko. We were one Slovak line, and we all began in the NHL together. It worked well, and we scored some beautiful goals. The boys got traded away though to other clubs. If I was forced to name my favourite linemates, it would be Keith Tkachuk and Michal Handzus.
hokej.sk: you won bronze last year with team Slovakia. What chances do you give this year's team?
Demitra: the chances are always open. I think you shouldn't think about it too much and just focus on playing the best you can. We have a difficult group and we must play well from the start. From there we'll see.
hokej.sk: what players would you like on your line?
Demitra: of course Marian Gaborik. We practise together each year in Trencin. I hope that Richard Zednik and Marian Hossa will come join us also.
hokej.sk: Do you list the home ice team with Jaromir Jagr as the pre-tournament favourite?
Demitra: I don't think the home team in the World Championships will be the favourite. The Czechs will be under tremendous pressure with a lot of Czech media, and under such conditions, choking is very prevelent.
hokej.sk: can you compare the hockey atmosphere in the cities you have played in (Ottawa, Trencin, St. Louis)?
Demitra: It is difficult to compare, but I will say something about Trencin. I followed the Extraliga finals this year where Trencin became Slovak champions, and the atmosphere was tremendous. Everyone watched. In USA, hockey is for everyone a business, and in Trencin the people watch and play hockey out of love of the sport. They live and die with the team. There is nothing in the NHL to compare to the after game parties and celebrations that occur in Trencin.
hokej.sk: what will you do if there is a strike?
Demitra: If there is a strike, I will wear the Trencin colours in the fall.
hokej.sk: do you have any vacation plans?
Demitra: the first part of the summer break will be spent on the World Championships in Ostrava/Prague. Afterwards, my wife and son Lukas will go spend some time in Monte Carlo.
hokej.sk: do you play golf, what is your handicap?
Demitra: I play golf very often and love the sport. Last year I played almost everyday. I had a son which has decreased my opportunities to play. I have improved greatly in my golf game, and several times I managed to score below 100, and once even below 90. I think my game will improve with time.
hokej.sk: thanks for the interview.
Comment