V uplynulé sezoně zažil roli náhradnÃka i jedničky, chytal v Buffalu a New York Islanders. A když mÃřil jako divák na tenisový Wimbledon, tuÅ¡il, že kromě diváckých zážitků bude řeÅ¡it i svou budoucnost.
Last year, he was both a starter and a backup, being a goalie for Buffalo and New York Islanders. Once he was headed to Wimbledon, he knew that outside of watching tennis, he will also have to make some decisions regarding his future.
PrvnÃho července se totiž otevřel trh s volnými hráči - a Neuvirth mezi nabÃdkami zvolil tu z Philadelphie. A nenà náhodou, že se tak stalo poté, co se ve Wimbledonu potkal s Jakubem Voráčkem, hvězdou Flyers.
On the 1st of July, the free agent frenzy had begun - and of all the offers, Neuvirth chose the one from Philadelphia. Not accidentaly, he did so after meeting the star of the Flyers, Jakub Voracek, in Wimbledon.
„ŘeÅ¡ili jsme to jeÅ¡tě předtÃm, než jsem dostal nějaké nabÃdky. Hodně mě lákalo s nÃm hrát, tak jsem to podepsal,“ prozradil 27letý gólman. „Voras to hodně vychvaloval, jakou majà skvělou partu, dobrý tým. Minulý rok jim uteklo play-off o pár bodů, takže věřÃm, že letos to uděláme.“
"We have already talked about it before I even got any offers. I was very eager to play with him, so I just signed," says the 27yr old goalie. "Voras spoke highly about the locker room atmosphere, how good they get on with each other, how good the team is. Last year, they missed the Play-offs by only a few points, so I am sure we can make it this year."
Neuvirth přitom toužil jÃt do mužstva, kde by mohl plnit roli jedničky. Jenže ve Philadelphii zřejmě jako prvnà gólman začne sezonu Steve Mason.
„Po vÅ¡ech výměnách, které se staly jeÅ¡tě před otevřenÃm volného trhu, už moc Å¡ancà nebylo. Koukal jsem, kde je největÅ¡Ã Å¡ance hrát, kdo tam hraje, s kým tam budu,“ popisoval faktory při svém rozhodovánÃ. „U gólmanů nikdy nevÃte, jak to bude. Může přijÃt zraněnÃ, týmu se nemusà dařit, může se stát cokoliv.“
He signed with the Flyers despite his resolution to go to a team where he would be a starting goalie. In Philadelphia, however, Steve Mason might [yes, the article says "maybe"
] be the starter at the beginning of the season. "After all those trades happening before the 1st of July, there were not many more chances. That§s why I had a look where there is a highest chance to play, who is playing there, whom will I accompany," Neuvirth describes the factors that affected his decision. "When talking about goalies, you never know what happens. An injury might occur, the team might simply not do that well, anything can happen."
Philadelphii jako město už zná, jelikož dva roky působil v týmu Hershey, farmě Washingtonu Capitals. „Je to asi hodinu od Philadelphie. A vždycky, když jsme měli volný den, tak jsme tam jezdili na výlet.“
He already know the city of Philadelphia, he has been playing on Washington Capitals' farm in Hershey for two years. "It is about an hour away from Philadelphia. Everytime we had a free day, we have made a trip to Philadelphia."
Do Wimbledonu vyrazil se svou sestrou Petrou, která dřÃv hrávala s Kristýnou PlÃÅ¡kovou. Sám Neuvirth má k tenisu dlouholetý vztah, do 15 let hrával závodně, v Ústà nad Labem vlastnà tenisový klub, jeho otec je trenérem.
„Ve Washingtonu jsme chodili občas před sezonou hrát a byl jsem neporažený,“ usmál se. I nynà zůstává tenis jeho oblÃbenou letnà zábavou.
Jeho nejlepÅ¡Ãm úderem je prý servis. Obdivuje Rogera Federera. TěÅ¡Ã se, až si půjde zahrát s Voráčkem. „VěřÃm, že vyhraju,“ prohlásil pobaveně.
To Wimbledon, he went with his sister Petra, who used to play with Kristýna PlÃÅ¡ková in the past. Neuvirth himself has liked tennis for a long time, he has played tennis til the age of 15; in Ústà nad Labem, he owns his own tennis club and his father is a tennis coach. "In Washington, we used to go play some during the pre-season and I have always stayed unbeaten," he says, smiling. Even now, tennis is his favorite summer activity. Neuvirt says service is his best tennis stroke and he admired Roger Federer. He is looking forward to playing tennis with Voráček. "I believe I will win," he says, laughing.
Párkrát už navÅ¡tÃvil US Open, ve Wimbledonu letos zažil premiéru. „Historie na mě dýchla. Byl jsem se podÃvat i v muzeu a bylo to super. VěřÃm, že se sem určitě zase vrátÃm.“
Po vyřazenà obou sester PlÃÅ¡kových z Wimbledonu vÅ¡ak jeho letoÅ¡nà návÅ¡těva už skončila, v neděli plánuje odletět pryč. A pozvolna se chystat na boj o mÃsto jedničky v novém klubu.
A few times, he has already visited the US Open, but this year is his first time in Wimbledon. "History is present everywhere in here. I went to have a little look at the museum too and it was great. I believe I will come back sometime."
After both PlÃÅ¡ková sisters have been eliminated from Wimbledon, his visit is nearly over, as he plans to leave on Sunday, and start getting prepared to fight for the starter's job in his new club.