“We haven’t talked about what roles we will have yet. We’ll see what to expect. We learned that the role (for the World Championships in Prague) should be clear in advance, but we don’t have more detailed information yet,” Vejmelka said after Tuesday’s first training session in Brno. On Thursday, the national team will enter the last tournament before the World Cup against Finland.
What do you think about competition in the national team, made up exclusively of goalkeepers from the NHL?
Of course it’s competition, but at the same time we have to be partners. Help each other. We are such a small team in a big team, so we need to support each other. That’s how we perceive it and that’s how I believe it will work. We know each other too well for there to be any problem between us.
Is the start at the Prague championship a great motivation?
We’ve taken care of that. (smile) I’m definitely looking forward to it, as is everyone else. We are happy to be here.
In what mood did you arrive after the season in Arizona?
The ending was definitely good. Of course we had our ups and downs as a team, it was up and down in matches. Overall, I feel positive about it.
Also from how you dealt with the internal battle with Connor Ingram, who cleared the goalpost for himself in the first half of the season? Such a duel was new for you after years.
I wouldn’t say that it was different in previous years and I would have something for sure. The season somehow developed, Connor was in shape, he caught excellently, I had to wait for his weaker moment. As the year progressed, it changed, we alternated more and more, until at the end of the season we rotated regularly. I feel good about it.
Have you been worried over the past few weeks waiting to make the Coyotes’ future official, which eventually met with a move to Salt Lake City? Did it affect the results?
The talent in the team is huge, but the results reflected a lot on the fact that we have a young team. The boys are gaining experience, so performances are not stable. But we had a strong conclusion. We have shown that we have potential and that there is something to build on.
Goalkeeper Karel Vejmelka and Jáchym Kondelík. at the training of the Czech hockey team in Brno.
You will develop it in Utah. You are looking forward?
We had the opportunity to get to know the city, find out what and how, and I feel very good about it. There is a great owner who has had a long-term interest in the NHL, has the desire to build a great team right from the start. It will definitely be something to watch.
What did they show you on the inspection trip?
We saw the facilities, the hall, part of the city, they showed us some housing options. We visited the center. There wasn’t much time. It was important to get to know the hall and the surroundings.
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Do you regret leaving Arizona, where you made it to the NHL?
It’s a shame for her, that’s for sure. The city certainly has potential. I believe that one day the NHL will return there. Now we need to focus on what lies ahead, and that involves moving. We take it as an amazing opportunity that we want to take advantage of and enjoy it in every way. It’s nice to be part of something new.
Did you take something from the wardrobe with you as a talisman or a link to the original environment?
There was neither space nor time for that. We only went to look at the facilities. None of us have moved yet, there will be time for that later.
Do you expect Salt Lake City to play different hockey at a higher altitude than Arizona?
It’s in the mountains, which will be a big change for us. I consider it an advantage that the city is located higher.
Will it play faster? Speed skaters come to Salt Lake City to set world records.
(Laughs) We will see. It is impossible to know much in a day and a half.
