Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman was in the Czech Republic recently to take in the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup, and he spoke with iSport.cz’s Jiri Vitek for an exclusive interview…That happens to be blocked behind a paywall.
If anybody has a subscription, I’d be much obliged to pay your month’s subscription for a gander at the full translation of the interview…
But in the interim, here’s a rough translation of what’s not stuck behind the paywall:
Yzerman Exclusive: I liked Hronek at the World Championship, and we have talent in Detroit
As a forward, Steve Yzerman won three Stanley Cups with Detroit, collecting a number of individual trophies. Red Wings legend Steve Yzerman, after eight seasons as the GM of the Tampa Bay Lightning, returned home to rebuild Hockeytown into a similar position. “We must be patient,” says Detroit’s neew boss to iSport Premium during an interview at the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup.
In Detroit, two Czech youngsters, Filip Hronek and Filip Zadina, are also fighting for jobs. “I saw Hronek at the World Championship, and I liked him very much,” said the former forward who played in 1,514 NHL games and posted 1,755 points (692 + 1063). He spoke to iSport Premum during the prestigious youth tournament.
Did you focus on specific players, or did you watch the game and wait to see which youngsters would interest you?
“It was the first event for us to see the 2002-born players waiting to be drafted next year. For us it’s an opportunity to see them playing in games and responding to each situation.
When drafting, then, do you personally participate in the selection of players?
“It’s more listening to the chief of scouting and scouts.”
After nine years, you’re back in Detroit. How has the team changed?
“There are, of course, many new players. I left in 2010, and they’d gone to the Stanley Cup Final twice in the previous three seasons. Now the team is undergoing rebuilding, and this is different. We’re also playing in a new arena, and other people are taking care of us than those who did previously.”
You’re composing a new team, just as you did in 1983 when you came to Detroit as an 18-year-old.
“It’s true. But at the same time, the team was mostly old and experienced players then, and we have a lot of talented players at our disposal.”
The interview continues, but that’s as far as I can go for now…
