Red Wings forward Jakub Vrana raised funds for his youth hockey team in Prague recently, and iSPort.cz’s Zdenek Janda spoke with Vrana regarding the upcoming NHL season in Detroit:
Vrana about returning to Letnany and the Czech group in Detroit: “We have potential”
He returned to the place where he grew up playing hockey, and sometimes even slept near the ice. Forward Jakub Vrana (26), winner of a Stanley Cup with Washington in 2018, played an exhibition game with Prague’s HC Letci team over the weekend as part of the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the team. “Wonderful, I’ve never seen it so full here,” said the sniper from Detroit. After the game, he talked about the Red Wings and memories of his bronze medal In Tampere [Finland].
It was an emotional moment for him. In the place where he learned the secrets of hockey as a small boy, now the fans applauded him. As well as other members of the Letnany-based team, the challenging selection of All-Stars were led by Jakub Voracek and David Pastrnak this past Saturday. “We enjoyed it very much. I’m very happy with how many people came,” explained Jakub Vrana.
So this was very emotional for you.
“I remembered how I started here, really beautifully. I spent whole days in the rink, sometimes even slept where the workers for the ice cream shop [worked]. It still has a touch here for me. I haven’t worn this summer team’s jersey in a long time. And in my eyes, it’s the most beautiful in the country! It was a nice feeling, it warmed my heart.”
Especially when Zbynek Zavadil, the local coach, who guided you in your youth, stepped in?
“For me, he’s like a second father, we reminisced. He takes it as seriously as before, during the intermissions he said what we need to improve. That’s the beautiful thing about it. He was a big part of my career, we all know that. Overall, the event was very nicely done.”
It was clear that as youngsters you wanted to beat the stars quite a bit.
“The boys from Letnany were kicking, we didn’t want to let them [win]. Both teams enjoyed it. I believe the audience did, too. After all, you don’t see such players like this anywhere else in the Czech Republic.”
Did you feel proud that even though the team’s only been operating for 20 years, it’s already produced a Stanley Cup winner?
“It’s not just me, a lot of other players have been drafted. But yea, I was lucky to win the Cup. It was wonderful that I was able to bring it to Letnany years ago, lots of people came, it was great. But I feel like it’s even better now.”
Last season you struggled with a shoulder injury, how are you feeling now?
“Seamlessly. I have exercises for it, but it’s cool, I feel good. So I believe it’s all on the right track.”
You missed a few months due to the injury, but you recovered and won bronze at the World Championship with the national team. Are the memories still alive?
“When I go golfing with the guys, we talk about it. It was nice to bring home a medal again, especially for the fans. Even for young players who are starting hockey. To have [something] to drive for, they work on themselves and they enjoy it.”
It was an important moment for you personally, wasn’t it? Before that, you’d had troubles on the national team.
“I was injured halfway through the season, so it was difficult. Mainly mentally. I was out for a long time, which no player wants. Everyone wants to be on the ice. So I was very happy with how I did on the national team. We know I can score goals, even though I didn’t score many in the tournament…But it’s not about one player, it’s about the team. We all came together and brought home the bronze.”
There are already numerous Czech players forming a colony in Detroit, which was supplemented by sniper Dominik Kubalik. What do you think?
“There were enough of us in Washington before, we had that kind of Czech gang (laughs). We went everywhere together. Now there are three of us on the Red Wings (with Filip Hronek and Filip Zadina). Domca (Kubalik) was added. So it will be great, all the memories will come back.”
Have you already figured out the new engagement together?
“Yeah, yeah. We’re very much looking forward to hanging out with [Kubalik].”
What did you advise him about?
“We mainly talked about housing. I also told him that we have a really wonderful facility, that everyone is very nice. We have a younger team, some guys have only been in the NHL for two years. It’s about gaining experience. But the potential on the team is huge. We discussed this, too.”
Detroit wants to increase gradually, so do you believe you’ll have a successful season?
“I’m very happy that the management got the players. In my opinion, we’ve strengthened [ourselves] enough, that there’s a better chance for the playoffs. We will definitely go all out. Especially the young guys like Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond, who have a great future ahead of them. Overall, I feel very good about our team.”
