Juraj Slafkovský during the World Hockey Championship 2024 Source: Profimedia
BRATISLAVA – Only a few days have passed since we reported on Juraj Slafkovský’s interview for the overseas periodical The Athletic.
In it, the Montreal striker criticized the Slovak Ice Hockey Association on several points and indicated that “nepotism” reigns in our hockey and that we overestimate the success from Beijing, which he experienced firsthand.
“A few things have to change at the Slovak Ice Hockey Association if we want to be successful again. We think we are doing things right, but in reality we are just pretending. And then we try to sell it to people by publishing ‘fake’ results.” journalist Arpon Basu quoted Slafkovský in an article entitled “Juraj Slafkovský and the burden of the nation”.
The words of criticism echoed throughout the hockey spectrum in Slovakia. During the last week, the union itself reacted and sent a clear message to the draft unit.
“We perceive the opinions of Juraj Slafkovský as ill-considered statements of a young player. They were certainly difficult to read for his representative teammates from the bronze team, the coaches who nominated him and the officials who gave him the opportunity to advance in his career.
We are convinced that there are many passionate players, coaches and experts working in our country, on whom Slovak hockey really stands. We believe that in the future Juraj will communicate with the media with the responsibility of the leader of the national team.” said SZľH in a statement.
They’re just trying to hide behind the fact that I’m young
The author of the original article, Basu, did not hesitate and approached Slafkovský a second time after the initial 40-minute interview. He didn’t refuse. On the contrary, he sent home more harsh words with his words.
“They’re just trying to hide behind the fact that I’m young, which is kind of crazy. Apparently I wasn’t nice to my teammates at the Olympics. It’s kind of weird because a couple of guys on the team texted me and said they agreed with me.” said Slafkovský.
Despite the fact that several people from the hockey environment have expressed their support for the young man from Košice, he does not want this to cause a war between him and the union.
“I don’t want to argue with them. They gave me a chance when I was sixteen years old. However, I think that I have repaid it with my performances. On the contrary, I don’t think that we should mix my opportunity in the national team with reality (the problems of Slovak hockey), “ continued the member of the elite formation of the Canadiens.
The mutual exchange of views does not come at an opportune time. Only a few weeks ago, Slovakia qualified for the 2026 Olympics, where Slafkovský should be the main star of our team. Players from the NHL will also present themselves in Milan.
Slafkovský emphasizes that this “dispute” will in no way affect his desire to represent and wear the national jersey.
“Now it’s up to them. They know the truth, we all know it. It’s just a matter of whether they face it or hide from it. How they approach me and how they look at me is their choice,” he said. I am what I said, but I still want to represent, play at the Olympics and fight for something. However, that decision is no longer up to me.” added Slafkovský at the end of the article.
- Author: © List/
- Source: Sports shoes
