We’ve talked a bit about Red Wings goaltending prospect Michal Orsulak lately, and today, I found a paywalled interview that Orsulak, who plays for the WHL’s Prince Albert Raiders, conducted with Denik Sport…
Thankfully, a couple of paragraphs are available before the paywall, so we’re going to read them together. Here’s a bit of Zdenek Soukup’s conversation with Orsulak:
I’ll do anything to make the NHL, says the hockey talent from Kralovice
Hockey goalie Michal Oršulák helped the Czech under-20 team to silver at the World Junior Championship, and was subsequently selected by the Detroit Red Wings at the NHL draft. However, the young man from Kralovice knows that he is still a long way from the most famous league in the world.
At the turn of 2026, hockey goalkeeper Michal Oršulák shone at the [World Junior Championship], helping the Czech team with his performances to a silver medal. And he made the most of it in the NHL’s recent draft, where he was chosen by the famous Detroit Red Wings by the legendary Steve Yzerman.
“It was amazing to meet such a legend,” said Michal Oršulák said enthusiastically during an interview that took place in his native Kralovice.
However, he did not attract any excessive attention on the street, even though he is on his way to the most famous hockey competition in the world. “I know almost everyone here [in Kralovice]. When I walk around the city, we say hello,” the talented goalkeeper said, smiling.
What changed after the draft? Has your popularity in your native Kralovice increased?
“I think absolutely nothing has changed. Everything is completely normal, like it was before the draft. I’m at home in Kralovice, I know almost everyone here. So when we’re walking around town, I usually greet someone.”
The criticism on the networks is rather heckling him
For the first time, you have become part of the memory of Czech hockey fans with your performances at the [World Junior Championship], when you helped the Czech team to silver medals. Even then, nothing changed?
“I guess so, but I wouldn’t say it’s very strong. Perhaps in the Czech Republic my popularity has increased a little. But otherwise, everything stayed the same. The fans may have liked me a little thanks to the performances, but some haters have me in mind since the unsuccessful under-18’s. But to tell you the truth, I don’t care, I don’t care.”
