Plekanec talks about his new life as a retired hockey player and building his all-star team of former CH teammates
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Plekanec talks about his new life as a retired hockey player and building his all-star team former CH teammates
JdeM SHARING Jean-François Chaumont
UPDATE DAY
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Retired from the NHL since October 2018, Tomas Plekanec has now chosen to hang up his skates for good after nearly five other seasons in the Czech Republic in Brno and Kladno.
At 40 years old, 41 on Halloween, Plekanec uttered the word that all athletes fear: “retirement.”
He confirmed it on Saturday after nine games with the formation of his hometown, the Kladno Knights.
Early Monday afternoon, Plekanec was already enjoying the new chapter of his life. He found himself driving with his two youngest children and his wife back home to Prague.
“Yes, I am at peace with this decision,” he said in a telephone interview with the Journal. I had taken the time to consider my decision, I did not choose to stop playing hockey by thinking about it for just one day. It had been on my mind for ten days. I'm completely at peace with that. It’s the right choice.”
Back discomfort also weighed heavily.
“I didn’t have a goal of playing until I was 40,” he said with a laugh. I went there one season at a time. This summer I wanted to play another year. But I had problems with my back. I received an evaluation from the doctors and it was the smart decision to stop.
“I had been dealing with a back injury for a few years now. I had pain, I could endure it, but there is a limit. I want to stay active when I retire. I have young children and want to enjoy this time with them. I want to ride a bike, play hockey, tennis or hike in the mountains without feeling pain.”
In Kladno, Plekanec has shared the same locker room for the last two seasons as a former NHL glory, Jaromir Jagr.
“Jagr will play again this season in Kladno. He participates in training, but he has not yet participated in a match. If I had to make a prediction, I would say that he will play between 15 and 20 games this year. At the age of 51, he no longer has the speed, but he is still very strong to protect the puck. He will keep a role that suits him at his age.”
Plans in hockey
In the immediate future, Plekanec will devote time to his family and his wife, Lucie Safarova, a former WTA tennis player. However, he does not give up on the world of hockey.
“I always imagined myself in a coaching role,” he replied. I love hockey, I love working on systems and helping young players improve. I'm interested. But it will depend on the offers. I wouldn't want to act as head coach at the moment since it takes up too much of your time. You spend even more hours at the arena than the players.
“I could consider an offer in North America, if the offer is very good! But I would say that it makes more sense for me to believe in a job in the Czech Republic. I have young children at home.”
Did the man nicknamed the man in the turtleneck receive advice from his partner to chase away the “blues” of retirement at a young age?
“When she played, she also had problems with her health at the end of her career. Health must come first. That was his main advice. But the decision to hang up my skates was mine.”
“He will work tomorrow morning with the children and around the house,” added Lucie, who could follow the conversation in the car.
“Montreal is the best city to play hockey” – Plekanec
Tomas Plekanec participated in 1001 games in the NHL. He wore the Canadian uniform 984 times and that of the Maple Leafs only 17 times.
At the Bettman circuit level, Plekanec had the pleasure of retiring as a member of the Canadian. Marc Bergevin re-acquired himself on the free agent market a few months after the trade with the Leafs.
He played his last game with the Habs on October 17, 2018. He will always keep a great place in his heart for Montreal.
“I don’t regret a single minute of all my years in Montreal. I loved it from start to finish. Yes, there were difficult times. There were seasons when we were eliminated from the series at Christmas. But it was part of my adventure. I say this firmly believing in it: Montreal is the best city to play hockey. Canadian. I am convinced that this is the best place for hockey.”
2010 and 2014
When asked to describe his best moments with the Habs, the Czech didn't hesitate for long.
“Our playoff run in 2010,” he replied. I will always remember our victories against Washington in the first round and then against Pittsburgh in the second round. There was magic with this team. We beat the big teams of Ovechkin and Crosby, the two best players in the world at that time. Both times we won #7 matches. People thought it was impossible.
“I also have to talk about the 2014 playoff run to the Eastern Final against the New York Rangers.”
And on an individual level, the former center described two moments that found themselves from one spectrum to another.
“I would talk about my 1000th match. I remember the ovation from the crowd at the Bell Centre. It's an unforgettable moment. And what's more, I scored my last goal in the NHL that night [October 15, 2018 against the Detroit Red Wings].
“There is also the first game in the NHL [December 31, 2003]. I played with the Canadian against the Stars in Dallas. It was a good feeling, but I don't have too many memories of that day. It was happening too quickly.”
An invitation to come?
A sign of the rapid changes in the NHL, Plekanec only has two former teammates still active with the CH: Brendan Gallagher and Joel Armia.
Reserved by nature, Plekanec was a little searching for words when he was asked if he would agree to come back to Montreal for an evening in his tribute.
“I always like to come back and visit Montreal. But I have already received a tribute for my 1000th match. I was so happy with the outpouring of love I received. It touched me enormously. I never thought of the possibility of seeing the Canadian organize another evening in my honor.”
The final word, however, goes to his wife.
« Absolutely he would be there,” she said.
The all-star team of former teammates with the Canadian of Plekanec
Goaltender: Carey Price
Defenders: Shea Weber and Jaroslav Spacek
Forwards: Alexei Kovalev, Michael Cammalleri and Brendan Gallagher
“I didn’t choose Marky [Andreï Markov]. I probably should, he was incredible as a defender. But Spaco [Jaroslav Spacek] was my great friend. Like me, he comes from the Czech Republic and I had so much fun with him. Markov was a star player in Montreal and a very good teammate.”
The five most difficult centers to face
- Patrice Bergeron
- Sidney Crosby
- Ryan Kesler
- Joe Thornton
< li dir="auto">Nicklas Backstrom
Of the five, Plekanec had a gift for getting Sidney Crosby out of his hinges . A role he enjoyed playing.
“I never liked bothering a single player!”, he replied.
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About The Author
Wilson
Rob Wilson has been a reporter on the news desk since 2013. Before that she wrote about young adolescence and family dynamics for Styles and was the legal affairs correspondent for the Metro desk. Before joining The Gal Times, Rob wilson worked as a staff writer at the Village Voice and a freelancer for Newsday, The Wall Street Journal, GQ and Mirabella. To get in touch, contact me through my rob@bobrtimes.com 1-800-268-7128