Filip Mešár revealed who called him from the NHL. He is ready for the U20 Ice Hockey World Championships – ŠPORT.sk

Last year he was in a completely different position at the Junior World Championships, he started only two matches. Much more will be expected of him this time. And it will be watched closely not only by fans of Slovakia, but the entire hockey world.

He is one of the biggest jumpers in the pre-draft rankings for draft 2022. While before the season and at the beginning of it he was on the border of the 1st and 2nd rounds, at the beginning of December he attacked the top ten. He thus catches up with his compatriots Juraj Slafkovský and Šimon Nemc, who have been in the top five or ten in the rankings for a long time.

In addition, the skilled striker also played for the senior national team for the first time. He was one of the best players in the German Cup and earned praise from general manager Miroslav Šatan or coach Craig Ramsay.

He will not stay in his home club for a long time, on Saturday the representative camp of hockey players under 20 will start in Piešťany. Filip Mešár will play the last match of this calendar year in Tipos extraliga on Friday against Prešov.

Just before leaving for the camp, he managed to break through a smaller crisis, he could not score or score any longer. After a nine-game break, he shot in a 6: 2 triumph over Banská Bystrica on Tuesday, scoring the last time before three matches, when he assisted in the victory over Zvolen. He has a total of five goals and four assists in 19 duels.

In an interview with ŠPORT.sk we asked him for the premiere in the national team, a new coach in Poprad, which means for him that he has a draft season, but also for the goals at the upcoming championship.

Are you happy with the current season?

“It simply came to our notice then. I had a good start, then a minor crisis came, I couldn’t make a few matches, but I broke it on Tuesday. I hope that I will only prosper by the end of the season. I am also happy with the invitation to the German Cup, where I gained new experience. ”

How do you feel the biggest progress compared to last season?

“Playing with men, whether physically or by getting used to faster hockey, helped me a lot. In particular, I gained a lot of confidence. ”

You have premiered in the senior national team at the German Cup. How do you rate it retrospectively?

“It simply came to our notice then. It’s a completely different pace than in the extra league, it was more challenging. It gave me more confidence, even in the league. To be honest, I didn’t expect the coaches to place me in the first attack on the power play. I’m very glad they gave me a chance. The matches have worked out for me. ”

You played under Craig Ramsay for the first time, what do you say to him?

“He is a very experienced coach. When he explained the tactics to us, he left peace. He never dealt with anything screaming, everything was calm. It’s very good that we have such a coach in the national team. ”

In November, HK Poprad dismissed coach Petr Mikula, who was replaced by Canadian coach Corey Neilson. What changes has it brought?

“He is more modern than coach Mikulov. It’s something new, he wants to prefer the Canadian style, everything in the gate, attack, throw pucks and especially a lot of skating. We also have a lot of individual video analyzes. So far, so good. I hope this change helps us. ”

Has his position on the team changed with his arrival?

“I do not think so. As under Mr. Mikulo, I still play power play. But new Canadian players have arrived, so I’m in the third attack. I may have less time on the ice, but I believe it will gradually increase. ”

Since the beginning of the season, you have moved significantly in the pre-draft rankings. Do you watch them or do you try not to notice them?

“I try not to notice. But I saw some. It must have pleased me, but it doesn’t mean anything yet. The draft is far away, until then anything can happen. I’m not working on it yet. ”

Did you set a goal for the draft?

“Yes, my goal has been to play in the NHL since I was a kid. Now that the preliminary rankings have come out, the goal is to be drafted in the 1st round. But if not, nothing will happen at all. ”

Juraj Slafkovský and Šimon Nemec are also high in them. Are you underwriting who will be selected first?

“We support each other. We write quite often, maybe every day. We would like to have three Slovaks in the 1st round. It doesn’t matter which one of us is first. It would be a huge success for Slovakia if three of them managed to go in the 1st round. ”

Three you can even be in the top ten …

“I do not want to overtake unnecessarily, there is still plenty of time. Now they are going to the Junior World Championships. If we were to succeed there, it would certainly help us in the rankings as well. ”

How much does the fact that she is draft for you affect the season?

“It simply came to our notice then. The NHL clubs send me various questionnaires. I’ve had a video call with some of them. I was asked psychological questions, how do I react on or off the ice, or how human I am. There is more. But I expected it before the season. That’s part of it. ”

Were there any strange questions you were wondering what they were up to?

“It simply came to our notice then. What is the nature of how I react to different situations … It was also the case that the first question was repeated after five or six to find out how I reacted or say something else. ”

How many clubs have you already been in contact with?

“Questionnaires were sent to me by several, about ten clubs. I called Arizona and Toronto, in English with the scouts. ”

Simon Nemec revealed that he needed to improve his English. How are you?

“Because we have a lot of foreign players in the team, I often communicate with them. I don’t think I have a problem with English. I understand everything, but sometimes when I have to answer, I forget a little and have to think. Then I finish the sentence. But it’s pretty decent. ”

Already this week, the camp starts before the U20 World Championships, which start just after Christmas. How do you feel before?

“I am very happy that we are going as we are. We are good enough players to make some success. I also think we will be a great game because we know each other from previous years. I’m very happy and I wonder how we will end up. ”

You only played two matches in the tournament a year ago, now you should be one of the team leaders. Are you ready for this task?

“I am just ready. I have experience in extra-league hockey and the German Cup, more will be required of me, which I am definitely ready for. ”

What is your personal and team goal?

“Personal – to play in every match as best you can and show up. Team – to achieve great success for Slovakia and possibly get a medal. ”