They ignored Slovak talent in Finland. Absurd, shakes his head expert – PRAVDA.sk

Young hockey players away from home. Apart from the ice, they spent all their free time together, helping each other and supporting each other. For now, however, their paths will diverge.

While Juraj Slafkovský remains in TPS Turku, Samuel Kňažko (19) leaves Finland and heads to the junior junior.

Disappointed, because this season, according to several rightly, he wanted to regularly play for men. The captain of the national team is not missing in the selection of Craig Ramsay for the upcoming German Cup in Krefeld.

Did you come to suddenly improve your mood?

I’m really looking forward to the tournament. I want to prove to more people that I can play men’s hockey. We have a young team, I would like to win a more important position in the team.

It was not so significant at the May World Championships, I would like to change it. I will do my best to fight for participation in the team for the Olympic Games.

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Did you break up with Turku in a bad way?

No, both sides view the end positively. The agent and the Columbus management (the Blue Jackets drafted the Priestess to the NHL last year from 78th place, note) agreed that the overseas trip would now be better not only for me, but also for the TPS.

The team is doing well, it is on the first place in the table. I didn’t play much in the team, I believe that leaving will benefit me. I connect my future with the NHL, in the Canadian junior I get used to overseas hockey faster.

After all, do you feel disappointed that you didn’t make a name for yourself in the club?

Yes, but mainly because I deserved more opportunities to show what is in me. Before the season, they tested me in one match. Subsequently, I went to represent Slovakia for the Olympic qualification and then there were not many opportunities to show off to the coach of the A-team.

I planned to stay in Finland and win a place at the Olympics or the Men’s World Championships with my performances. It will be harder overseas, I won’t see so much. But so is hockey life. I take it as a motivation for a career. I want to show people that I have it.

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Did the fact that coaches preferred domestic talents also play against you?

Probably a little yes. The coach chose other players, they fit more into the system. I’m not worried about things I can’t change. TPS and I broke up correctly, we’ll see, maybe I’ll come back there one day.

You leave Turku, Juraj Slafkovský continues there. What did you advise your younger colleague when you left?

At first I wanted to stay in the club because of him. We lived in the team for three years together, we became friends. I thought I would help him, because he has a draft year ahead of him and he should be pretty high on the NHL selection. I believe that the support from Slovakia would benefit him, but after my decision we will each continue on a different path.

Isn’t he angry that you leave him alone in northern Europe?

No, but the truth is, I will miss him too. We lived together, spent time together, walked side by side everywhere. We also know our families. I would say that we have built something more than a friendship.

Was working in the Canadian junior the only alternative?

The agent and I were looking for another club in Europe. But there aren’t many teams that will take the 19-year-old boy to the first two defenses in the middle of the season. Columbus also intervened, insisting that I find a new club in Finland or come overseas.

They didn’t even want to let me in another competition. There was also an alternative of coming to the Slovak club, I would not name him, but after the intervention of Columbus, this possibility also fell.

Do you expect complications in the transition from European to Canadian-American style of hockey?

Maybe a little, but it shouldn’t be extreme. I know what kind of hockey they play there. I have experience from the narrower ice, because the World Junior Championships are held regularly in Canada and the USA. The sooner I adapt to overseas rinks, the better.