Slafkovský will take the course Finland: It would be interesting if I didn’t play for the A-team now! – Športky.sk

KOŠICE – Before the departure to their clubs, the hockey natives Juraj Slafkovský and Tomáš Jurčo from Košice showed the fans in the Steel arena bronze medals. In the inflated program that resulted from the celebrations of historical success at the Beijing Olympics, both found time to attend the extra-league match between Košice and Nové Zámky (2: 5), in front of which they threw honorary bulls. For both of them, it was a return to the familiar environment, but neither of them, paradoxically, has yet joined the Košice A-team.

They both left the world at a teenage age and their careers are far beyond the borders. They received symbolic jerseys with the numbers 20 (Slafkovský) and 13 (Jurčo) from the Košice club and also enjoyed chanting their names from the spectators. For both of them, it was one of several social events they attended after arriving in Beijing.

Slafkovský in particular became a hockey celebrity, shining with seven goals and an award for the most useful player. At the same time, he got into the All Star team of the Olympic tournament, where he was the youngest player at the age of 17. In recent weeks, his popularity has grown significantly, he has gained thousands of fans on social networks and his name has appeared on the headlines of prestigious world media.

He is not afraid of the risk of getting dizzy: “A lot of people tell me, but I can’t imagine it waving to me. I have a goal I want to achieve. My parents are also helping me and keeping me grounded. I believe it’s like that. will continue and that nothing will change, ” noted Slafkovský.

I believe I have put some pressure on them

The talented wingman will take a course in Finland on Friday, where he will join his club TPS Turku. So far during the 2021/2022 season, he played for the A-team in 21 matches and scored four Canadian points (1 + 3). He also played 11 matches in the local junior competition (6 + 12). Before leaving for Beijing, he did not have a certain position in the A-team: “I believe I’ve put some pressure on them. It would be interesting if I didn’t play for the A-team now. I just believe that will change and I will play the top competition.”

The Winter Olympics were a life success for Slafkovsky, but the 2021/2022 season does not end there, quite the opposite. He has an extremely busy program ahead of him, as in addition to his club duties, he also plans to start at the 1st Division World Championships for players under 18, in which he would like to help Slovakia return to the elite.

In addition, he would like to start at the World Championships in Finland, and his participation in repeated World Championships for players under the age of 20, which will finally take place during August, is also at stake. And to top it off, a draft awaits him in June, according to which overseas scouts should attack the top ten. “It’s a lot, but I enjoy it,” he noted with a smile.

Tomáš Jurčo graduated from the draft and junior championships a decade ago, he was already an experienced player in Beijing. After the greatest success of his career so far and celebrations with thousands of fans in Bratislava, he also went to his hometown for a few days. “Thanks to the girlfriend who drove for me. If I had to go, it probably wouldn’t be right.” he admitted with a smile.

He fully enjoyed the ride on the open bus on the streets of Bratislava: “It was great. We knew people were looking forward to us at home, but experiencing it firsthand was something indescribable. A very powerful experience.”

The home was also looking forward to a guarantee of better food than it had at the Olympic Games. “Several guys in Beijing have lost something, including me,” Jurčo admitted and Slafkovský had a similar fate: “I lost weight there too, but I’ve already made it. The potato salad and steak helped me like I did at Christmas. I can do that whenever I come home. admitted “Slafko”.

Jurčo will join the team only in the playoffs

The management of the Continental Hockey League has canceled the remaining matches of the basic part and the playoffs will start on March 1. Jurys’s Barys Nur-Sultan team will face the best team in Metallurg Magnitogorsk this year, the eighth team in the Eastern Conference. After returning from Beijing, the Slovak striker was given a few days off to enjoy the celebrations of success.

“The club has a few preparatory matches scheduled for the start of the playoffs to get the players back on track. Since I’ve played a lot of tough matches lately, I agreed with the club to join the playoffs,” noted the winger, who scored 11 points (3 + 8) in 17 KHL games this season.

Upon his return from the Olympics, the club announced a special welcome. “I was surprised at how happy they were to go to Beijing. Since I left, they have been very publicizing my participation in the Olympics. They were proud to represent them and enjoyed the success of our team.” revealed Jurčo.

• The author: © List
• Source: TASR