Return to Kladno: A Homecoming and New Beginnings with the Knights

You have completed your first training session with the Knights. How do you feel after it?

I feel fine. I was looking forward to jumping in. Negotiations dragged on for a while, but it’s a homecoming. To the places where I grew up, where they taught me hockey and where they shaped me as a person. All the memories came back to me. It’s nice to be here.

Kladno plays the next match on Friday and immediately against Hradec Králové, where you spent the previous six years. If your transfer does go through, will it be all the more special?

It’s certainly interesting that I’ll be playing against Hradec immediately. But I’m really looking forward to playing in the Kladno jersey. My situation in Hradec was not entirely rosy. I had virtually zero chance to play, so I take the transfer as a huge boost and a chance to be able to play again. And I’m looking forward to that.

Your arrival in Kladno has been talked about for a long time. How was the contact with the Knights?

I was in contact with Kladno de facto all the time, even during the years I was abroad. It is the club of my heart, but some more intense contact happened at the end of last season, when we called each other a few times. But I had a contract with Hradec, where I returned to fight for a chance to play, because I feel healthy and full of strength. I think I can still be a valid player. Unfortunately, coach (Tomáš) Martinec made it quite clear to me that he didn’t count on me, so I decided that I would choose to transfer, and I’m extremely glad that it turned out this way.

Wasn’t there a bit of nervousness when you were in contact with Kladno for so long, but the transfer couldn’t be completed?

No, it wasn’t about calling each other every day. It was more about when I say enough is enough. When the chance of playing in Hradec Králové was completely zero and Jirka Burger (sports manager of the Knights – editor’s note) and Jarda Jágr called me to do it. Then it went pretty quickly.

Have you had time to talk to the coaches about your role in the team?

Not yet. I arrived this morning, I had a lot to arrange. But I will definitely talk to them. I think in the time I’ve been in the league, everybody knows how I play. My main job is around the gate. I can score those dirty goals. At the same time, I can be assertive and get under my opponent’s skin. Those are the things I could bring and hopefully we’ll move up the table.

You, Michael Frolík and Jakub Voráček are now working in Kladno. Your group of friends gathered at home. Did this also play a role in your return?

Definitely, I’m still in touch with the guys. Also with Pleky (Tomáš Plekanec), so it made the transfer easier. I’m looking forward to still being able to play with them at such a late age. Although I’ll probably have to tell Voras that he’s the coach now. So our friendship will probably end for a while. But I’m looking forward to it and I hope that we will all put our hands to work to make us and the fans happy.

The owner of the Knights, Jaromír Jágr, exaggeratedly said at a meeting with fans in February that you are expensive for free. When Kladno introduced you as a new reinforcement, this “name tag” was above your place in the cabin.

It was a quick deal with Jarda. I pay him to play here. That’s the contract I have. (Laughs)

2023-10-05 00:12:52
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