Goal Nick Malík does not see the move of the draft to the NHL as a big problem. Also because he has a chance to be second in the extra-league team of the Steelworks in Třinec. "I would also like to fix the matches that I didn't have the best in the extraleague last year," says the 18-year-old talent, who should create a tandem with the experienced Jakub Štěpánek in the championship team.
Last season was very varied for Nick Malík. He won for the first league Frýdek-Místek, scored two premier starts in the extra league for Třinec, at the age of seventeen he made his debut at the domestic U20 World Championships and finished the year in the overseas OHL. Of course, he looks up to the draft, but he does not intend to cling to it. "Like everyone, I would like to be selected in the draft, but now I'm concentrating on myself. I want to have a good summer preparation and the best possible season. Then we'll see. "
What are your ambitions for the draft to the NHL?
"The draft is postponed until sometime in September, it will be different. I thought I could be in the third round, at least that's how I saw the estimates. But I don't know how it will all turn out, it's not up to me. "
In your opinion, which other Czech players will be interested in overseas?
"I guess we all know that Honza Myšák will be the highest. I wish it to the other boys, but I focus on myself. "
According to the scouts, Jaroslav Askarov from Russia should probably be the most among the goalkeepers.
"I met him in a few tournaments, the goalkeeper is good. I don't think it would be anything so special, in my year we are three or four at a similar level. It's just that he probably catches the Russians completely differently. These guys are world leaders now, so it's easier in this one. When I get a goal and I know that the boys in front of me will give another tut, it's not so much pressure for the goalkeeper. But he is definitely a good goalkeeper. "
Does the draft number seem clear? Would you also choose Alexis Lafrenièr?
"It simply came to our notice then. It's late, so he had more time to improve, the quality he has is really good. At the World Twenties Championships you could see his experience, an overview. He deserves a draft pick. ”
No matter how the overseas selection turns out for you, you should be second to Jakub Štěpánek in Třinec. It is so?
"I have a contract in Třinec, so I should stay. I would like to. After all, boys' hockey is something else and the extra league is one level higher than the first league. And I would also like to fix the matches that I didn't have the best in the extra league last year. We lost 1: 6 to Vary, then I jumped against Liberec (0: 5), which was also not entirely successful. I have to tap a little, be better and get up. I know what I need to improve and hone. There is enough work. "
The club number one is Jakub Štěpánek, how do you perceive him?
"As my teacher. He has had a great career, and when he jumped in Třinec, he had a great season, he caught a great Spengler. He was also successful in the KHL, he won the title in Switzerland ... He catches well, I can only learn from him. "
The organization also acquired the talented goalkeeper Tomáš Suchánek from Přerov, who is a year younger than you. Do you know each other?
"Not quite, we just saw each other a few times at the repre camp. Nice boy, so quiet. I know he can catch. ”
After the Junior World Championships at the turn of the calendar year, you moved from Frýdek-Místek to the overseas OHL. Did the mission serve its purpose?
"Definitely yes. I went there with the idea that it would be a human challenge for me. Although I lived overseas when my dad was still playing in the NHL, it was still new to me. Jarda Pytlík, who played for Soo Greyhounds for the second year, helped me a lot. He taught me, and the boys took me in a great way. Even hockey had something in it there, the players are technically really good. He doesn't defend much in the OHL, it was all more in combination. Great matches. "
Did you catch up when not so much defense was played?
"For me, it was not the best in this direction, because the numbers do not look so much (16 matches, average 3.77, success rate 88.6%). But we had a young team and we were not the top of the competition. He really doesn't fight there. They don't care what the condition is, the boys are evolving by attacking. It was obvious that they already had experience, moreover, they were very good at it individually and tapped it practically empty. "
Did the workload fit your expectations?
"I got most of the matches since I came. Right after I arrived, I caught three or four in a row, which I might have burned a bit. Time change, a lot of new things, I'm used to it. Then I got tired, I didn't feel the best, so we took turns in a few matches. But by the end, I was fine again and in goal. It was good."
What feedback did you get from the club?
"I recently talked to the club about it because I flew overseas to get home. They said it was great. That they were satisfied with the way I worked and prepared off the ice. That they liked it and can't say that something was wrong. "
Does it play a big role for you in the future?
"I wanted to wait for the draft and decide accordingly. But with everything shifting, there's no point in waiting. I am preparing with Třinec, we started the preparation on Monday. That's what I'm going to focus on. "
