For the past two years or so, I have had the pleasure of meeting many new Ranger fans from all over the world. One of our 'internet buddies' is known as Coat on the boards. He has filled us in on things from the Czech Republic. The following is a reprint of the post he made on our boards.....enjoy.
----}- Bird

This is the translated transcript of my interview with Jan Hlavac. Only small part of it was released in our papers VP as we are limited by space and people interest about the NYR organization. This message board offers both – the space and interest of the fans so take it like this was made exclusively for Hockeybird (I knew I couldn’t use this material anywhere else when I was asking the questions).

Coat: OK Jan. The pre season is almost over. What are your feelings about the camp and the games you played so far?

Hlavac: Well, I think it was the best camp I’ve ever been. The atmosphere in team is very positive. The determined you can feel on every step.

C: That’s really positive but what do you think about your performance in particular.

H: You know as everything my play could be better and I hope it will but I think I can be satisfied. Our line with Petr and Alex worked pretty well. Again I think we can play even better. Kovy is probably our biggest weapon and we (me and Petr) must do everything to get everything from him. I think Petr and Alex are the most talented guys I’ve ever played with.

C: So is it easy to play with them? I mean sometimes people say that to play with such players is very easy. I remember many fans were thinking that way about Rucinsky success with Bure and Eric. In my opinion to be that line must have some negatives too…

H: I agree. You are right. Look, when you are playing the fourth line you aren’t so visible. You make the mistake and it isn’t so crucial. But imagine you get great pass from Alex after his brilliant individual play and then you create turnover…… Then you spoil his second action and you are done. To play with someone like Kov is big fun but you must be very careful. You never know what he will do next. If you were in camp you would see that for example crossing the offensive blue line wasn’t perfect. But I think it will be better every other game. Somebody said it couldn’t be a problem as we are all typical European players but sometimes I think Alex is from different world. His stickhandling is amazing.

C: Maybe you remember last time we talked about coming back to NY. So after one month I think you can compare. What team did you find there?

H: I think the Rangers are different now. The team has new spirit. I think this team is very strong. I don’t say the guys like Kamensky had no talent. Of course not. But I really think somehow this team is more skilled, simply stronger. I am searching the right word…. OK I mean this team is compact. We are like one guy.

C: Do you want to say that everybody has his role? That every player has his own job. You know last year there were some issues with Robert and his role on team.

H: Exactly. I think Slats is really trying to find the best place for every single guy. We had some talks about it. Glen assured every player that he is important for this team and my impression was he didn’t mean it like sweet lie. I think everybody here is 100% sure with it. In the past this team had different ideology and the result wasn’t good.

C: Do you agree with Jaroslav Holik as he once said that the hockey team is like army and every player is soldier who has the specific role?

H: That’s big truth.

C: OK so tell me something about your role on the team. What do you think it is?

H: I know I am no general, captain or sniper. I am that ordinary soldier for daily work. My job is to help players like Alex make their best. But I think the team needs guys like this. You won’t win with 23 generals. To realize you aren’t the best player on world isn’t any tragedy. I even think that then you can do more for the team than before.

C: We talked about the spirit. So what is the biggest difference between Rangers 2000 and Rangers 2004?

H: That’s hard question. Look at the list of guys who left the team in past seasons. For example Theo Fleury. Theo with all his pluses and minuses. I don’t say the team is worse or better without him. But it’s definitely different team without guys like him. Hlavac comes and Hlavac leaves. No big deal. But players (people) like Theo are giving the face to the team.

C: Is Mark Messier giving some consistency as a captain?

H: Of course it’s still his team. But guys like Theo can’t simply hide under his wings. They are big personalities.

C: I know almost more than everything was said about so called Czech Line. But people are still asking some questions. Maybe after all you can look and talk about it from distance of few years. Can I ask you some questions from my friends abroad?

H: Of course. C’mon.

C: What was the reason that line was so successful? Was it just good look, off ice “chemistry”, the fact you were all from one country?

H: Well. Of course our friendship helped. I didn’t know Radek before he came but we were big friends with Petr when he played for Sparta during his strike. I think the big factor was everybody from us had special motivation. Of course at first you fight for your team but special motivation is special motivation. Look I came to NY as a best scorer in Czech Rep. as a world champion. I don’t think I was bigheaded and spoiled (I hope I am still normal boy from Prague) but I was so up, like I was in heaven. Then I came to USA and was sent to minors. So my motivation was to show I am good player. Petr was always under big pressure in NY. And don’t forget he came in exchange for Alex. He wanted to get fans on his side. And Radek after his trade from Florida wanted to show he is good player and that his trade was big mistake for Panthers. We were very ambitious. And from beginning John Muckler (grandpa) wasn’t big fan of the idea of all Czech line. We knew we had to work hard every single game to stay together. And also the communication in Czech helped on ice too.

C: It reminds the new rules of your coach….

H: I know you mean that “only English” rule. I understand Glen. He is trying to do everything what would help. But this rule isn’t good. I think Glen as a native Canadian (English speaking man) will never understand. It has nothing to do with talking about our teammates. Every time we talk about something, which touches some other guys, we use English. But look. Last week we were watching new Czech movie on DVD with Petr and Martin. Next day we wanted to talk about it. We tried the English but it was silly. After few sentences we laughed and interrupted our talk. It was so plastic. Like we were theatre actors.

C: What is your relationship with new technologies and Internet especially?

H: I am not so good like Petr or Barnaby (that guy is still working on his laptop) but I like it too. It’s good chance to learn about everything at home, you can communicate with your family and friends.

C: Do you visit some hockey fans’ sites?

H: Not regularly but from time to time. Why?

C: I’d like to know how does it feel to read about yourself.

H: Oh. I don’t read it so often. Last time I was reading one article and under the text there were comments of fans. One guy wrote “I don’t mind Hlavac back until he ruins Nedved’s and Kovalev’s play”. When Petr saw that he started to laugh and made some jokes. Petr said “that guy is right, you should stay on bench and let maestro Kovalev and Nedved play”. Then he bought me some Pilsner.

C: I guess Petr knows what it means to be persona non grata for the fans.

H: Yes. He was very bad from that. But I think the reaction wasn’t coming from the hate or something like that. I think fans have liked Petr and more you like somebody then more and more you are frustrated when he isn’t like you would like to see. People were unhappy from Petr’s play. But I think Petr was trying hard. People didn’t understand that Petr was more frustrated than them. It was nice to see him turn it around. In my eyes Petr deserves their support. He loves the city, the team and everything. I talked with him many times last year and year before and he didn’t say a bad word. He wasn’t complaining for being booed. He only felt bad and that was all.

C: What do you think about Rangers fans? How would you describe them to us Czechs?

H: You are right that fans are different here and in Czech Republic. Of course the average knowledge of the game is worse comparing. Ask anybody at home from kid to older lady what offside is and I am sure you get right answer. Hockey isn’t the most popular sport in NY. But people who like hockey are great. They are perfect fans. Maybe I am wrong but even the number of Rangers fans isn’t so big comparing to basketball or baseball somehow I think that hockey fans are closer to their team. They are living with the team. People here often say “once a Ranger, forever Ranger”. You know I think this sentence is maybe even more about the fans than players.

C: Yes. I was thinking about that as I was asking on fan sites. I have many friends who are spending their free time with creating their own web, writing about the team, discussing together, analyzing, following the team even to the pre season camp. I mean that’s fantastic after all the disappointment from last seasons.

H: Yes, that’s unbelievable. Not only they do it for free but they must spend so much money for this. I think it’s a pity that year after year hockey is still more expensive hobby. But the original idea was that hockey is sport for ordinary people. This must change. If I wasn’t pro athlete I wouldn’t be able to pay for season ticket. What to say? I hope we will do them more joy this upcoming season.

C: You said you visit some hockey sites from time to time. I can’t help and have to ask if you ever surf the HOCKEYBIRD web site.

H: I am not sure but the name sounds familiar to me. I think I did. Once I was on hotel and looked for the Rangers fan sites using Yahoo web search. Is it some special site?

C: For me it is. You can find real Rangers fans there. Maybe it would be something like looking to mirror for you while reading fans ideas.

H: Ehm. So you say it isn’t good idea to read it after 9:1 game vs. Minnesota (laughing).

C: I think it’s OK to read it any time. Now lets turn the page. We talked about team spirit, fans dedication etc. Do you think it was a reason you get new contract in NY.

H: I think so. This year there were many free agents for relatively low price. Some of them were as good as me and some of them were the big names. I think Glen knew that the reason I want back has nothing to do with money. Of course money are important but it wasn’t my priority. My agent said number but he also said we are prepared to go down. That the most important thing is if they want me back. Then we will work something out in any price. And we did.

C: Again I will ask for my friend who is big Hartford fan on Milan Hnilicka. I know you are big friends. Did you think about him when you came to camp? What do you think about his future in LA?

H: Of course I did. Milan is great friend. The best one you can find. Great player and even better man. I was thinking on our rookie season. I have many memories. On one side it seems like yesterday on the other side it’s like 100 years. I think even we didn’t play in major team in personal life it was the best part of my, best part of our lives along with title from worlds. I hope Milan gets a chance in LA. That’s great to see that 2 Czechs will share the goal in LA. I wish Milan only the best.

C: I wish you the same. Honzo, do you have some message for hockey fans?

H: Yes. Enjoy the season. Stay with hockey because it’s the best sport on Earth. And enjoy the world championship in Prague. I am sure we’ll win.

C: And what would you say to all Rangers fans?

H: Rangers fans in CR?

C: To Rangers fans no matter where they are, USA, Russia or Iraq.

H: Thank you very much for your support. I promise we will do everything possible and impossible to get to the play offs. We will do everything so you could be proud again that you are Rangers fans.

C: Thank you very much for your time. I wish you had great season without injuries.

H: Thank you very much. Please say hello to all people in Prague.

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