Interview with Mark Dekanich - December Player of the Month

We caught up with the Eurohockey.com December Player of the Month, Mark Dekanich of KHL Medvescak Zagreb, after a practice to chat a bit about hockey and life in Croatia.  The much improved goalkeeper is sporting a full beard--partly because he is in a bit of a beard-growing contest with young Zagreb defender Mark Katic--a Medvescak ball cap and a sleeve of tattoos.  While he looks the part of a professional athlete, the keeper is also an architecture buff and graduate of the prestigious Colgate University.  We touched a bit on everything from cutting off angles on a large ice service and the newest shows he’s watching on TV. 

To hear more about Dekanich’s workout regimen, his nutritional habits, his pugs back in Canada, his willingness to play on the Croatian National Team and lots more, check out the audio of the interview on our SoundCloud page.

Hockey first: his play recently has a lot to do with why Medvescak is only one game away from clinching a playoff spot in their KHL inaugural season.  Dekanich only had two wins on the season until his December 5-0-1-0 record. 

Why were the wins not coming early on?  “I cannot really put my finger on it.  I have just been battling all year, trying to get some wins.  They were not coming early, though I thought I was playing pretty well”, said Dekanich.  However, he said that, “maybe there is a big save here or there (I missed) that could have won us a few games”.

This season definitely was a recipe for mental anguish: a whole new squad, hours of travel to Siberia and Far Eastern Russia, the larger ice surface and more angles to cover.  Dekanich credits his “perseverance and dedication” for getting him back on track. 

There was a lot of promise for Dekanich after a 7-1 thrashing of CSKA Moscow in front of the home fans in Zagreb to start the season.  “To play such a historic team and the ability to interact with the fans--it was an honor to be able to play in that game and to get the win”, mentioned Dekanich as he said it ranks up there with some of the most important games of his career.

Until Dekanich won a game in Russia in November, the Bears could not take a game there and generally struggled on the road.  In his December run, he picked up 10 points in Siberia including two shutouts.  “We have adjusted better later on with the travel and style of play”. 

A lot has been made about playing half of their games on a smaller, North American-sized surface and then travelling to larger ice surfaces.  How does the larger road ice affect keepers?  “It’s tough!”, exclaims Dekanich.  He continues, “when the players come in off the rush, players have more time and space on the big ice.  It changes the way we manage the game and our positioning.” 

In North America, Dekanich was well on his way to being a NHL goaltender.  He was drafted in the 5^th round by the Nashville Predators and played in relief for one game.  In 2011, the Columbus Blue Jackets signed the keeper and they were going to give him a chance in goal.  Unfortunately, a devastating ankle injury led to Dekanich missing this opportunity; only one season after setting records for goals against average and save percentage for a single season with AHL's Milwaukee Admirals, he was sidelined after reconstructive surgery.

“I worked so hard on my career, I never been really given anything and finally Columbus was going to take a gamble on me”, lamented Dekanich.  “There (was) something really wrong.  I could not go down to make a save”, he continued.  “It was a learning experience.  It was a really tough year for me.” 

Is he back in form?  “Absolutely!”

The KHL is a “great league”, but if he was given the opportunity to return to the NHL, “he would love to, because I always said I could play in that league.  At the same time, I am enjoying it over here (in Zagreb).”

After the Winter Olympics and taking a break in Vancouver, Medvescak will likely be plotting their path for a long postseason run.  Dekanich said he personally and his teammates are ready.  “This is what we prepare all year for”. 

Good luck to Mark Dekanich down the regular season stretch and congratulations again on his winning the EuroHockey.com December Player of the Month Award.

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