yesterday 08:50
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Maxim Tchaikovsky recently received a coveted rookie contract with perhaps the strongest hockey team today. However, the signing with Tampa Bay Lightning was preceded by a hard fight. The 20-year-old attacker had to not only prove his performance on the ice, but also explain the incident from the national team within twenty years.
After the modeled match, the Bratislava was expelled from the camp before the World Cup. He himself says that the situation was very difficult for the psyche, when he felt the hatred of the fans, but he does not want to return to it. He will go to the Florida team’s camp in the fall, saying he wants to play in the NHL.
The exclusion from the camp of the twenties almost closed the door to a newbie contract in the NHL, admits MAXIM Tchaikovsky
Try to describe how the whole process of signing a rookie contract with Tampa Bay Lightning came about?
“It was a long-awaited thing for which I did everything. In the end, with the help of my parents and the people around me, I succeeded. Tampa communicated with me all season on a two-week basis. Already when I was at the beginning of the year in Bratislava Capitals, they discussed videos with me and pointed out what I should improve in. They showed interest, which pleased me. It was a good sign. I was also communicated with people who make sure that I improve on things off the ice. ”
You started in the mentioned Capitals, but then you returned to the Canadian QMJHL. Did you not regret returning to the junior competition?
“Tampa always wanted me to go back to Canada and they had me under scrutiny. There are scouts at every match or watch it online. They also have better contacts in teams. According to my information, they called someone from the organization every week and asked about me. I wanted to satisfy them to get closer to the contract, which succeeded. ”
In Canada, you used to play for the Saint John Sea Dogs, but last season you played for the Val-d’Or Foreurs. Why has there been a change?
“I was sent to the club. It works similarly to the NHL, they traded me for places in the draft. Val-d’Or composed the team for the title, which in the end failed. I had a clause stating that I could not be exchanged without my consent. I had no problem with that. ”
What were the pandemic conditions in Canada?
“At first it was very strict, even the Americans did not allow entry into the country. Measures were then relaxed, releasing people who had spent fourteen days in quarantine in the United States. I used that after Christmas, when I flew to a campsite in Syracuse and I was able to get to Canada with a lot of filled paperwork. ”
Capitals, where you could try men’s hockey, were probably the right choice.
“Yes. Even when I knew I wouldn’t get to Canada right away, I was trying to find a club. I trained with the Bratislava team and Dušan Pašek offered me a contract. It fit in. If I hadn’t played the first half of the season, I wouldn’t be here today with a rookie contract from Tampa. The gaming experience from the first half of the year helped me a lot. A few matches in the juniors would not be enough for my contract. ”
Photo gallery
Maxim Tchaikovsky
Source: SPORT / MILAN ILLIK
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What is your goal for next season?
“The goal is clear – the NHL. I’ve had it since I started playing hockey. I want to show at the camp that I am ready for profilig in my head. I’m working hard to convince Tampa’s management. We’ll see what it takes for me. ”
Tampa Bay Lighning is perhaps the best team in the world with a number of offensive leaders. Are you also working more on defense, as the chances may gradually come mainly from lower, more defensive attacks?
“I will do whatever they want from me. I see shortcomings in myself and I work on eliminating them on a daily basis. I want to eliminate them so they can’t blame me. I would like to have trump cards in my own hands. As an offensive player, I have to deal with the defense in order for the coach to trust me. ”
Marián Studenič, like you, has always been considered an offensive player. However, an improved defense helped him make his NHL debut. Are you ready to put you in situations other than what you are used to as a junior?
“Of course. The AHL told me that their only job is to educate NHL players. I take it that they will want to help me. ”
Is the model in the fight for the Lightning jersey Erik Černák for you, who has slowly developed into the best Slovak hockey player?
“Definitely. Erik made a huge progress out of the farm. He got into the NHL due to a player injury and has stayed there ever since. He is also an example of how well he works in Syracuse in the AHL. I would like me to follow him. ”
In December, your name was the center of media attention, when after hard interventions in a model match, you were expelled from the national team for up to twenty years. Did the incident threaten you to sign a contract with Tampa?
“It simply came to my notice then. It cost me a lot more effort. It gave me a different perspective. It started me and maybe I wouldn’t have signed a contract without it. I tried even harder. I wanted to prove I had it. ”
None of the journalists saw what actually happened. How do you perceive the whole situation over time?
“I don’t look at it anymore, it’s a thing of the past for me. I will only focus on the future. It moved me, I’m completely different. ”
Wasn’t the punishment in the form of expulsion from the staff too cruel?
“Whether he was too cruel must be considered by others. It’s life. I guess it should have happened. I looked at things from the past, what I should do differently. ”
Photo gallery
Maxim Tchaikovsky
Source: SPORT / MILAN ILLIK
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There was a rumor that after the coaches expelled you, your teammates stood up for you. What’s true about that?
“The match was played at two in the afternoon. At seven in the evening, the coaches called me and decided to leave the staff. Then they told the boys and most of them stood up for me. They wanted me on the team. Unfortunately, there was already an article out at that time that I was fired and there was no going back. However, I am very grateful to the guys that they showed me their trust and saw it differently. It gave me a positive force for further work, that my friends supported me. ”
To whom did you have to explain everything that happened?
“I had three general managers at the time. Dušan Pašek was great, he held me right away. Even in the junior they took it positively and the manager told me that he is happy when I come. Then an assistant general manager from Tampa called me and asked me my look. I explained it to him and said we would see what happened next. It wasn’t easy at all mentally to get out of it and pursue a hockey career. ”
In Canada, similar incidents are common in training.
“I talked to the Canadians about it and they told me that I would win a place on the team with them after that. The second thing, however, is that they did not see the video and did not have a complete opinion on it. However, I was well received by my teammates in Val-d’Or. I felt like a member of the family. ”
Did you deal with a lot of hatred on social networks after being excluded from the staff?
“It was probably the worst thing. The lyrics were everywhere, at one time I had the most read article of the month, which was funny in the political situation. The fans wrote me ugly things that weren’t decent and fair. When I remember those comments, it hurts. I wouldn’t let anyone experience anything like this.
We play hockey to make people happy. Now I will focus on building a new Max out of myself, which will bring positive experiences to fans. I’m going forward with my head held high. I want to be prepared not to miss a chance if it arises. ”
WHAT HAPPENED IN THE TWENTY
Until the age of twenty, the Slovak national team was in the Zvolen “bubble” before the world championships in Canada. Therefore, she only played modeled matches with each other. Maxim Tchaikovsky started great, in the first duel he scored two goals quickly. In the second, he attacked Samuel Krajč hard, who was supposed to cause a concussion. The management of the national team said that he also had other hard interventions. Video from the match is not available. The coaches decided to eliminate the young striker from the camp, while he was supposed to be the offensive leader of the team.
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I deserve a chance
Maxim Tchaikovich’s performance was also praised by the general manager of the Canadian junior team Val-d’Or Foreurs Pacsal Daoust. “We always knew that Maxim could score goals and score, but it was decided whether he was a good teammate and could become a professional. I said, if he succumbs to us and manages the criticism, we will help him to do so. He did everything.
He scored, was a member of the winning team and signed a contract to the NHL. His teammates liked him for that. He deserves a chance in the best league in the world. He must remain focused, work on shortcomings and have patience. I wish him only the best, he definitely has to make him one of the best, “ the club manager from QMJHL told us.
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