What did Comet’s owner tell you?
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To go home. That I belong to the Comet. And I had nothing to deal with at the time. I was excited. I received a draft contract, and I immediately agreed to it. I didn’t invent anything, and I signed it. And I still had to go to the Poprad officials and explain the situation. I am grateful that they complied and released me. So, in the end, what my wife talked about sometimes happened, and what she basically dreamed of. It was similar for me.
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You will expand the existing Brno goalkeeper trio Sedláček, Tomek, Klimeš. Do you know what your role should be?
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I’ll go training from training. I’ll work hard on me. I’m going to help Comet as much as possible on the ice and in the cabin. I would like to experience some success in Brno again.
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Did you know the new goalkeeper colleagues?
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Mostly Lukáš Klimeš. He’s been in the Comet for a long time. Sedláček and I competed against each other in the youth categories. Paradoxically, I hardly knew Tom, even though he is a compatriot.
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You caught two zeros in the Poprad jersey in the Slovak league, but your success rate of 89.5 was not the best …
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Numbers are numbers. But there are many other things behind them. Our coach and thus our style of play have changed. In Slovakia, many matches were postponed, despite the fact that only a few coronavirus infections were needed in the team. We still had to get into it again. I firmly believe that it will be much better for me in Brno.
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How long did you sign the contract in Brno?
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For two years. But Mr. Zábranský and I also talked about the vision for the future. That I could, for example, help a club in a position even after the end of my career. I would like that. I guess I really belong here. After all, my children were born in Brno. And my heart was always beating for Comet.
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You are returning for the second or third time. Aren’t there too many returns?
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I think not. I left for the first time when I had the opportunity to try the Continental League. I returned from the Bratislava Slavs, even though Třinec cared for me. Then came the time when Karel Vejmelek was successful in the Comet, and I felt unencumbered. Logically, I went on a guest visit to Zlín. It helped me and the Rams then. And my third departure to České Budějovice took place at the beginning of the covid period, when no one knew what was going to happen and what the financial situation of the clubs would be. But we always broke up, with my door back open.
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How have you been received by the old-new comrades in the comet’s cabin now?
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Great. After all, I know the vast majority of boys from the past. I immediately found out that Vinnie (Tomas Vincour) digs as he did before. And Captain Zaťa (Martin Zaťovič) is simply still Zaťa. He’s still making up some jokes.
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What will it be like for you in the Brno arena just in front of a thousand spectators?
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Too bad there still can’t be more. But even the thousand can create an excellent backdrop. For me, the only big holiday will be to be back in the hall, where I have had so much fun in the past.
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Have you watched Comet extra-league matches at least so far?
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Clearly. When it was possible, my son and I sat at the television or the computer. We saw good and worse matches. And we noticed how the Czech highest competition this season is incredibly balanced.
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What would you like to achieve with Comet?
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I am convinced that I came to a very strong team with a lot of excellent hockey players. In Comet, there is always only one thing to think about … (smile). Everything important is always decided only in the playoffs. It will show how the teams will stick together. I make no secret of the fact that in time I need to win something again.
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Do you also watch the extra-league hardships of the last Zlín, in which you also worked part of the season in the past?
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Clearly. Sometimes I even call Zlín goalkeeper Huf. I watched their failed encounter with Mladá Boleslav on Tuesday (2: 7). The boys from Zlín clearly showed how much they want and put everything into it. At the same time, however, they have in their heads that the situation is not good at all, and it is not possible. I was sorry to hear the whistling of the auditorium. I’m sure none of the Zlín people are releasing anything on the ice. But it is already very difficult for them.
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How did your family live in Poprad?
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We liked it there. The environment in the Tatras is beautiful. We took trips and walks in the beautiful countryside. But now that we can be in Brno again, we thought that was enough there.
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Poprad was led by Canadian coach Neilson. What was the experience like?
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He had a slightly different philosophy than the Czech and Slovak coaches. He wanted us to score as many goals as possible and for the fans to have fun. That’s why we played offensive hockey. Even in training, we did more offensive than defending. He asked the players in the field to fire the pucks and chase after them.
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