How do you see your chances in the draft? Due to what happened, I'm not going to the combine. So I don't know what to expect. My agent and agency tell me that I'll be drafted and they believe in it. Those are things that I can't influence. Whatever happens, will happen. It's a shame because it's something that can't be controlled, and I'm more or less innocent in that regard, but I won't dwell on it. It's a pity because it could have been the first or second round. I was mentally prepared for it, and my performances were good. But after the incident, those performances weren't entirely ideal. I couldn't focus on hockey. People discussed it in various ways, and everyone has their own opinion, but no one knows how it really was. Sometimes it's quite entertaining to read what the media write. It doesn't bother me; life goes on. It hasn't broken me.
Don't you want to explain it then? I don't want to comment on it. Everything will be revealed in due time. I believe that I'll be drafted. I've been communicating with scouts from each team, and it's mentally demanding. You're supposed to go in the first two rounds, but now I have absolutely no idea what position it might be. We'll see; anything can happen.
So the teams confirmed that you won't go to the combine because of the floorball incident? Yes. It's because of that, and I just have to respect it. It's my stupidity, of course. But those are things I can't control. I don't expect to go in the first two rounds, definitely not. I think it will be more realistic in the later rounds, if at all. The draft isn't everything; it's just the first step that gives a player an opportunity. I know many players who weren't drafted and are now playing in the NHL. I believe in myself; I think I have what it takes in terms of hockey. The incident complicates things, but I still think I have a chance in the first two rounds, and I believe the scouts know that too. We'll see how it turns out.
So you're in contact with NHL teams? Yes, although less now because of what happened and because I'm not going to the combine.
From which teams did you feel a greater interest? It's hard for me to say because I communicated with every team. When I went to America, I felt a greater interest from Chicago and Arizona.
Did they ask about the incident too? They did ask, but they didn't really make a big deal out of it.
Do you have a preferred team where you would like to end up? In the current situation, it doesn't matter to me, but I would like to play, for example, in Chicago or Toronto, which I really like.
Do you plan to attend the draft? I can't say right now. I'll see what my agent says. If it's the fifth or sixth round, I probably won't go.
Do you have any ambitions for next year? Would you like to play in the U20 World Championship? That's also a question that I can't fully influence, and I don't know how it will turn out with the national team. It's hard for me to say now. It's always an honor for me to represent Slovakia, and I would love to go to the World Championships, especially since they are in Gothenburg, which is quite close to us. We also know that 2004 and 2005 are strong age groups. We could bring the best players and achieve success. I would love to go for that reason alone. We'll see how it