Christmas in Russia? Maybe one beer, says Jakub Petruzalek

Jakub, how did you see the game against Sweden?
It was a very tough game. Swedes play a very physical hockey and the ice was not good today. It was quite impossible to play on it midway through the period. On the other hand, the atmosphere was great. We did not play the game we wanted, though, no pressure on the puck, losing pucks in the offensive zone, enabling Sweden to have many breakaways.

Was it a physically demanding game, then?
Some guys are not used to this style of hockey. I do not have a problem with it as I played in America and now Russia. Czechs play a more technical style.

Has your family visited the game? It is a short way from Litvinov.
Yes, my family and friends have been here. I am happy to play here in this new arena. It is beautiful and I am really surprised. The new facilities are great.

Not so long ago you claimed that if you return to Czech Extraliga, you want to play for Plzen. That surprised a lot of fans in Litvinov...
It was a momentary reaction. I do not plan to come back yet, my future lies abroad. I said it because Martin Straka is the chairman in Plzen and he is sort of my idol. I like the way he runs the club over there.

Do you think the club in Litvinov is not run as well as Plzen?
Not really, but it’s a pity that a club with such a great tradition is not focusing on developing its own young players.

Is that your experience from Litvinov?
I had great seasons there in junior hockey. But I was disappointed when I came back from overseas and later I decided to go to Canada again. I would just like the players who play for Litvinov right now not to experience anything similar.

What is the situation with young players like in Russia?
Everything is completely different. There is a lot of good young players, but they also do not focus on their development that much. They should take an example from Scandinavia – Finland or Sweden. However, I and Petr Vrana can’t complain, Khhabarovsk has a small budget, yet the facilities are very good.

You are having a great time this season. Did you expect that?
It is good to have your feet on the ground and not expect too much. Then you may be pleasantly surprised and has a lot of energy. When we come back from Channel One Cup, our goals will be small again and we will hope to thrive under it.

Has anything surprised you about life in Russia?
Almost every day, various things from traffic to services... but I just laugh and do not complain in any way.

What do you mean?
I think Russia is still heavily affected by communism. Making people do a little extra is very difficult, unlike in America. It is common to wait 50 minutes for food. They have a lot of time. One has to be a bit strict there. That would not happen in Finland, or here in Czech Republic.

The main purpose of your stay in Khabarovsk is hockey, but is there a time for relax?
Not much. Regeneration and preparation for the next game is very important. Me and Petr are fine with that. You are on the game wavelength all the time.

You and Petr Vrana are good friends, then...
If you can spend 24 hours a day 10 time zones away from home with someone and you are still having fun, it is very good.

Do you live together?
Petr lives further away from the stadium, as well as Jan Lasak, for example. I am at a different place, 12-minute walk from the arena. I do not have a car. Other guys don’t have one either, but they use a driver every morning to take them to the arena. I like to walk and clean my head.

Do you plan to make Czech Christmas in Russia?
It is going to be very simple as we play on 23rd, 25th and 27th. We are not going to enjoy it very much, perhaps have one beer. If the beer is Czech, it is going to be fine. Otherwise, we will focus on games, Russian league is specific. 

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