Red Wings forward Dominik Kubalik turns 27 today, and this is the time of year when Czechia’s players take part in exhibition hockey games for charity, so Kubalik spoke with NHL.cz’s Pavel Mandat at a charity game. Here’s a rough translation of their conversation:
Kubalik enjoyed the exhibition game. Detroit? “It put new blood in my veins,” he says.
Dominik Kubalik was one of the big starts of a charity game held in Zdar nad Sazavou. the Detroit forward praised the event after it ended.
“I think it was very successful, and everyone enjoyed it. I really didn’t expect it to be sold out here,” he confides.
Thanks to the strong backdrop of spectators, the hockey players played through a lot of heat, something that’s not usual for the sport. “It was noticeable from the beginning, and you had to get used to it. But gradually it got better and better. Moreover, everyone had the same thing [to deal with],” says Kubalik.
A new challenge awaits the famous scorer for the new season. He’s one of the Red Wings’ recent acquisitions, and he’ll meet other Czech players there.
“Guys speak highly of the organization. That’s a new motivation for me. I can’t wait for it all to start. Of course, it will be a bit hectic in the beginning, before I settle in and look around, but I’m looking forward to it,” reports Kubalik.
He continues: “I believe that I will get comfortable and show that I can score goals [there].”
The last year was not ideal in Kubalik’s view. In addition, all of Chicago was suffering. “We only scored a few goals. And then it’s a lot about what’s in your head. If you believe in yourself, hockey is fun, if you don’t, it’s a lot harder.”
Because of his unsuccessful 2021-2022 season, the former star of HK Plsen was worried about his future.
“Those few days were very hectic. I had a lot of phone calls, and when you’re in that position [as a free agent], of course you have question marks. They say it will work out for you and where it will work out for you. As such, when it was appearing that it would be Detroit, I was relieved. It put new blood in my veins.”
“They see me as a shooter. I’m not saying that I’m a scorer who scores 50 goals per season, not a chance, but in Detroit they know I’m more of a finisher than a creator,” he describes.
The Red Wings are on the rise. That’s also important for Dominik Kubalik. “They want to go up. That’s also why I’m glad that they chose me, and that they trust me. I hope to repay their trust,” he concludes.
