Hello NY and everywhere else.....welcome back to the Birdcage. As I have been both busy and sick I have not been able to pen a decent article for you folks. Fortunately, our buddy from the Czech Republic has been busy conducting interviews for us. Many thanks go out to Coat. Today, Coat talks to NY Ranger prospect Petr Prucha. He even managed to include a few questions from you, the readers. ----}- Bird

Coat: Petr, you lost tonight but especially your line played very good and attractive hockey. I think it’s the best time for doing our interview.

Petr Prucha: Ok. I think so. Even I am still a bit disappointed. We were very close to 3 points tonight.

Coat: In my first question I would like to stay with your line (Koukal, Kolar and Prucha). You had fantastic playoffs last season. Especially in the offensive zone you were the most dangerous line by far. To be truth I wondered if you could keep your play on such a high level. But your performances show that you are even better now.

Petr: Thanks for compliment. Last season was very important for us. We are still young players but I think when you turn to your 20 people start expecting something from you. It is time when you must prove that you are better than average. I mean you must take your chance. If you fail you can stay gray mouse – 4th liner for the rest of your career. It was good feeling to know that our line can contribute. I can’t describe my emotions when guys I watched as a kid on TV like Ota Janecky or Lubina came to us after one play off game and said “this was your game guys, you rock“. But eventually we lost the last game of the season so the season wasn’t too good. This is team game and the Cup is the only thing, which counts.

Coat: But you play a bit different hockey this season. In my opinion your line is the best forchecking line in league. What can you say about it?

Petr: We are trying to make big pressure in offensive zone. We aren’t big guys but we are young and hungry. Our teammates call us gumheads. We are lucky enough not to have any major injuries so far so we are jumping to everything, to every battle. You can get some hit but you must always get up and go on. I think the very important factor is that we play still together. We know about each other with our eyes closed. Many goals we score are coming from cycling around the boards.

Coat: Were you surprised that you got chance to play for national team in September?

Petr: It was shock for all three. It was like dream. No matter it was “only“ pre season tournament. Coaches wanted to see us and let us play only in first game. But eventually we play in whole tournament. It was great experience and we will do everything to get there again.

Coat: Before this tournament you were in America in the camp with other Rangers prospects. What was it like? Was it also good experience?

Petr: Of course. I wanted to meet new people, to play a bit different game. I wanted to show them that I am here, that I am still living.

Kubera55: Would you have accept a contract that might have had you in the AHL for a season before making the leap to the NHL?

Petr: Yes, I would. In fact it was one of the possibilities I had this year. I wasn’t far to do it. But in the end I decided to stay at home.

Kubera55: It seems that a number of younger international guys that the Rangers have been in contract with lately (Pisa, Smrek, Lintner, Martin Richter, Ekman, Zidlicky, Lundqvist, etc.) have chosen to stay abroad rather than come to North America and try to work their way up the more traditional ladder. Some of that of course is probably done because the Rangers want them in Europe. But some of these guys were likely made offers, and I'm curious why they turned them down. Was it 'strictly financial' reason, or something else? How it is with you?

Petr: I think there are many aspects. I can only talk for myself. You know there are 2 philosophies. First one is to leave Europe as a kid and then try to break through. You are thrown out to the sea and you must learn to swim. It has some advantages. As a player you can better absorb a bit different style and mentality. As a man you grow up sooner. You have to learn to carry about your self. The second possibility is to stay at home and do same little steps forward. Your first goal is to make junior team than national junior team, league team and finally national team. It’s hard to say what is better. On one side there are Patrik Elias, Petr Sykora, Radek Bonk, Petr Nedved, Tomas Kaberle. But then there is Milan Hejduk, Lang, Hlavac etc. Interesting is that nowadays many people say that some European leagues are closer to the style of NHL than American minor leagues. Guys are fighting for spots there and the play is very tough. Sometimes it’s more like war than hockey.

Coat: And your situation?

Petr: I decided to stay this season and we will see what happens. My motivation was to play here. Last year we lost in finals. So the work isn’t done yet. And I really love to play with Koukal and Kolar. I know this won’t last forever but I want to enjoy it as long as it is possible. I was happy that the Rangers see it same way. They know I play for very good team in very good league. Now I have even a chance to make the team and play on worlds. And this wouldn’t be possible. You can’t make it from minors. If I will play good hockey maybe I will get contract from NYR. I think it would be needed to play some time in minors and I have no problem with it. It’s another challenge. I think you should try everything you can in your life.

Kubera55: Though I doubt you'll answer it truthfully what is your weight up too? Most reports I've read list you as very small, usually 160 lbs. or less. Have you had success bulking up for the rougher NHL style play?

Petr: No problem. I have 74 kg (165 lbs) and 180 cm. I have never been slim or something like that. But I have only 74 kg. It’s because light skeleton I think (smiling). But I promise I will do something with it. Yesterday I saw in papers that Jagr was complaining that he lost some weight and that it’s bad for him. Others are doing everything possible to reduce kgs. I feel pretty good like I am now.

Heins: Were you glad that it were the Rangers who selected you in draft? Did you know something about NYR before?

Petr: That’s hard question. Again it has 2 sides. Rangers are my favorite club. I remember when I was a kid I watched 1994 finals and my mom wasn’t too happy. I was sleeping at school. I loved Tikkanen and Graves. So this is the good side. On the other side to be drafted by NYR means that your chance to play in NHL is far smaller comparing to Atlanta or Pittsburgh. I mean look at their line-ups. The training camp doesn’t even start and every fan or journalist knows the final roster. There are no open spots. Maybe only one player can make first team from start of the season. And of course it helps when you were their top draft pick like Jamie.

Coat: And what do you think about it? Isn’t it strange for team, which has been out of the play offs for so long?

Petr: They are big organization with many stars. It isn’t easy to trade away such players. And it’s impossible to send them down. And in Rangers case their stars are very good players. It’s only question of time when their form is back. It always seems that this will be the year and then the season slips away.

Coat: It seems you are well informed.

Petr: I talk the hockey with my friends from high school. They watch the NHL carefully. And I read sport newspapers. Very often you read in Czech papers about NYR because of the Czech players playing there.

Coat: Do you watch their games?

Petr: I don’t have cable TV. But sometimes we watch NHL before or after practice with teammates. I won’t buy any cable sport channel to home cause we are still on the road and there is no time to watch it.

Bono: What Rangers player you would like to play with if you could?

Petr: I am really satisfied with Kouky and Kol if you think this (laughing) but to play with Petr Nedved and Alexei Kovalev, with Leetch and Kasparaitis. It wouldn’t be bad. What do you think? Imagine Prucha, Graves, Tikkanen and Leetch, Beukeboom.

Coat: Yeah. I see you like Matteau you know. Prucha, Prucha, Petr Prucha and the Rangers are……

Petr: laughing

Coat: OK. Petr I hear you have to go to bus now. Can you promise me that if you play on Rangers team one day that we will be the first to whom you’ll give an interview?

Petr: You have my word. It was nice interview. I didn’t expect you will ask me such questions. You said this will be released somewhere on Internet?

Coat: Yes. Hockeybird website. So don’t forget who was the one who “made“ you in America.

Petr: Of course I won’t (laughing)

Coat: Thank you for your time Petr.

Petr: You are welcome.

There you have it......great work by Coat. I sure hope that Petr makes the Rangers some day so he can live up to his promise of giving us another interview.....as a New York Ranger !

----}- Bird

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