“In addition, Mazy (Marek Mazanec), with whom I played in Pilsen, praised me a lot here. He won the title in his first year in Třinec, so he couldn’t even say anything bad,” laughs the 31-year-old defender, who is returning to the Extraliga after six years in the NHL and KHL.
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Jeřábek was born in Pilsen, he won three extra league medals with Škodovka, including the championship title in 2013. That’s why it was surprising that he didn’t make an agreement there. “Maybe it’s a bit unexpected, but I dealt with Pilsen, and by extension Martin (Straka), at the very beginning. I didn’t want to bypass him. I wanted to have a clean table. We had a lot of fun about the whole thing, but it didn’t work out. I imagined a slightly longer contract. I wanted something more long term. And unfortunately that didn’t work,” explains Jeřábek.
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After the end of his contract with Spartak Moscow, Třinci signed for the next three seasons. However, there will be no objection to returning abroad in the future. “I don’t have a clause in my contract that would allow me to leave, but hockey trips are often unexpected. A lot of guys from the Třinec cabin could talk about it. We’ll see, but at the moment I’m excited about Třinec. There is a great atmosphere at the training sessions, there is a great sense of competition, we joke around a lot. I was really looking forward to that,” describes Jeřábek.
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He does not feel like a replacement for Kundrátek
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Jeřábek cannot judge how much summer training has changed in Třinec with the arrival of Zdenek Moták. “But the boys said it was different. Although it’s still hard work like under Vency Varadi, it’s different,” smiles the participant of the last Olympic Games. “For me, it’s a challenge and I’m really looking forward to it.”
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In addition to Jeřábek, Třinec was strengthened by the Latvian national defender Karlis Čukste, and in attack Daniel Voženílek from České Budějovice and another returnee from the KHL Slovakian Libor Hudáček. “The quality here is great, from the young to the old. Also, the trainings are not of a great level. Great for the first week,” assesses the full-back, who should take over the role of Tomáš Kundrátek, who headed to Brno.
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On the picture from the left are Jakub Jeřábek and Petr Vrána.Photo: Jaroslav Ožana, CTK
“I probably wouldn’t take it as a complete replacement for him. Tomáš is right-handed and has built up a very good position in Třinec over the years. Although one of the leaders of the team, or a player who will be relied on, I should definitely be. But typologically, we are a little different, even if we both like to support the attack,” reflects Jeřábek.
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He will also want to attack in Třinec. “I won’t deny that. But I’m a defender and I have to be responsible towards the back. I’m still there primarily to prevent chances or goals. Everything going forward will only be a plus.”
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As a bonus, the Pilsen native will also take the extra-league battles on the ice of Škodovka. “I’m curious about it and I don’t know what to expect from it yet. I have the same feelings about the upcoming season. I watched Extraliga, although a little less over time. My season at the club usually ended early, so I saw the playoffs almost every year. I don’t want to compare Extraliga with any other league, but it has quality. Plus, a lot of guys are back now, I think people will have something to watch. It could be a very interesting year,” hopes Jeřábek, who won at least one new fan for Třínec even before the start of the season.
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I mean, a fan. Sister Markéta, a cannonball player of the Czech national handball team. “Ségra always supports the team where I am, so I think she will wish Třinec now. It’s more difficult for her now, she’s playing in Norway, but I’d be happy if it worked out and she could come and see,” Jeřábek wishes.
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