2024-06-12 08:36:39
The Memorial Cup is a junior trophy that may be very prestigious in abroad hockey. After 5 years, a Czech participant was a part of the profitable crew, 20-year-old ahead Matyáš Šapovaliv gained it with the Saginaw Spirit crew. In an interview with Aktuálně.cz, he described the journey to the title and his plans in direction of the battle for a spot within the NHL.
The Memorial Cup is performed on the finish of the junior season abroad as a four-team event.
It options the winners of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), Western Hockey League (WHL) and Quebec Main Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), plus the host crew.
This 12 months, Saginaw hosted the event with Šapovaliv within the lineup, and though it was eradicated within the semi-finals within the OHL playoffs, it transformed the ultimate probability for the general title. The native of Klagenfurt and two-time medalist from the World Junior Championship gained the Memorial Cup because the eleventh Czech.
Czech Memorial Cup winners
Pavel Rosa (1997, Hull), Martin Erat a Ladislav Kouba (2001, Crimson Deer), Tomas Plíhal (2002, Kootenay), Petr Kanko (2003, Kitchener), Patrik Valčák (2004, Kelowna), Michal Repík (2007, Vancouver), Ondrej Roman (2008, Spokane), Martin Ms (2013, Halifax), Jakub Lauko (2019, Rouyn-Noranda), Matyáš Šapovaliv (2024, Saginaw).
How does that sound to you and the way did you benefit from the week after profitable the Memorial Cup?
It sounds good to be the eleventh Czech to do it. I feel it reveals how laborious the Memorial Cup is to win. I am very joyful that we had been capable of do it with the crew. As time goes by I notice how massive a deal it’s.
The event attracts appreciable consideration from spectators and the media in Canada and, by extension, the US. Was it acquainted this 12 months?
Clearly, it was large. There was an terrible lot of media consideration, at all times some interviews. The gang was nice, we offered out each recreation. They actually created a superb environment for us.
You may have been enjoying the playoffs because the finish of March, over two months…
Properly, it is actually lengthy and I repeat: it is actually laborious to win. However then it is actually value it.
Saginaw is a metropolis of roughly 40,000. How was the event?
Throughout the Memorial Cup, the town actually lived by hockey, I did not even anticipate it to be this massive. There was a wealthy accompanying program for the matches, an terrible lot of individuals got here. The environment was unbelievable. Total, the setting and stage of competitors may be very skilled. This additionally reveals how invaluable and prestigious a trophy we gained.
How had been the celebrations?
They had been wonderful, individuals got here to see us on the ice after the sport. We rejoiced collectively, took photos. We had been then within the dressing room for fairly a very long time, the place we loved it. The subsequent day there have been official celebrations with a parade, we went on stage in entrance of the followers.
The ultimate in opposition to the London Knights had an uncommon course. You led 3:0, then your opponent equalized and your 4:3 win was determined by a purpose 22 seconds earlier than the top…
We managed the sport for a very long time, they equalized within the third interval, however fortunately we determined within the final minute. Nice expertise and that makes it sweeter, the sensation of profitable is even higher whenever you win after such a course. On the finish, the feelings got here out in full drive and we had been all excited.
It was London that knocked you out within the semi-finals of your OHL in Might, and you then profited from the truth that the Memorial Cup was performed in Saginaw. How did you soak up the elimination, after which you solely skilled for 20 days?
That was the best way it was arrange and we knew we’d get a second probability. We did not need to let it slip away. After the elimination it was unhappy at first, nobody needs to be eradicated from the playoffs. However we knew we nonetheless had lots to play for and we ready effectively.
Your mustache was related to the lengthy journey to the title. Did you retain it?
No no, I simply dropped it the day earlier than yesterday. It was such a crew factor, a couple of guys even stored it for celebrations. It belongs to the playoffs, it was good.
What had been the responses to your look? I really feel just like the U20 nationwide crew mates had fun with the Instagram photographs.
Positive, there have been some innuendos, jokes, and jokes. I believed the entire thing was humorous and went fairly effectively. (laughter) However would I need to preserve it completely? Positively not.
In 54 video games of the common season you had 62 factors (19+43), in 22 playoff duels you added ten extra (3+7). You talked about one other position on the crew, what was it like?
The crew was loaded, we had extra balanced traces than in earlier years. I attempted to assist in methods aside from purely offensive. Play effectively when weakened, attempt to battle again pretty and eradicate the opponent’s strongest gamers. In the long run, I additionally deal with face-offs, that is my factor that retains me within the recreation.
After three years in Saginaw, you might be leaving and you might be going through a battle for a spot within the NHL. So are you reconciled to the truth that it will most likely be with this position there as effectively?
Precisely. I will attempt to discover my strategy to the NHL and I do not care what they need from me. It is simply necessary that I fulfill it. It is a bonus that I can play forwards and backwards. I do not care what lane I play in, I can deal with each roles.
If we add January’s bronze medal from the World Junior Championship to the Memorial Cup, it was a really profitable season globally, wasn’t it?
I’m very joyful for that. It was the final junior season, now I am most likely ready for the AHL. I ended my junior profession efficiently like this, it is nice.
You had been chosen by the Vegas Golden Knights within the NHL draft final 12 months. Do you already know from them that they’re now relying on you for the farm?
It needs to be like that, we had been in touch throughout the season as effectively. It depends upon how I put together for the subsequent one, how effectively the camp goes. Hopefully I ought to begin within the AHL and progressively construct my place up.
How concerning the competitors within the Vegas offense that gained the Stanley Cup final 12 months? This 12 months they had been strengthened by Tomáš Hertl.
After all, there are a variety of high quality gamers and it’ll undoubtedly be tough to get into such a crew. We have not met Tomáš but. Nevertheless, I’m glad that we’ve got Czech there, and I look ahead to assembly you.
Because the season was lengthy, do you might have any time to relaxation in any respect?
It is going to be more durable, there will not be a lot relaxation. I lastly acquired dwelling, now I will have a while off and fly to Vegas on the finish of June for a youth improvement camp. Then I’ll come again and fly to Vegas once more on the finish of July for pre-season coaching.