Update: 05/03/2024 16:46
Issued by: 05/03/2024, 16:46
Brno – Attacker Tomáš Nosek has again played for the hockey national team after ten years and believes that he will win his first participation in the world championship at the Betano Hockey Games in Brno. In Prague, the 31-year-old Pardubice student could play not only at the top of the national team, but also in October with New Jersey against Buffalo. But for that, he would have to agree on a new contract with the Devils.
“I’ve never played at the World Cup, for me it’s a big motivation to get there and I hope it works out,” Nosek, who last played for the national team in the 2013/14 season while working in Pardubice, told reporters before Thursday’s match with Finland. In that year, he also made his debut in the national team and managed 11 matches and scored three goals. He then headed to North America, where he fought for a chance in the NHL at Detroit’s farm in Grand Rapids, followed by stints in Vegas and Boston. New Jersey signed last year.
“It was nice to play for the national team after ten years. I enjoyed it a lot. It didn’t even seem like it was ten years. It flew by terribly,” he said, regretting not experiencing a winning comeback. “We had pressure, but we couldn’t score goals. We got a lesson in productivity. Once the Finns score, they go back and they know how to defend the lead, they could pull back. They stand in the middle zone and there is no space. They have the slot covered in their own zone. We probably lacked emphasis in front of the goal or a good rebound. The goal came late at the end,” he returned to defeat 1:4.
He started in the attack with teammate from Devils Ondřej Palát and Dominik Kubalík from Ottawa. The players are getting used to the wider rink. “It wasn’t easy, but it’s the same for everyone. It’s still hockey. Although the wider field is a bit familiar, I haven’t played on it for ten years, but it’s the way it is. I don’t have a problem with it, we we will adapt and the next match will be better,” said Nosek.
In the NHL, he is valued mainly for his defensive work, but he also wants to show his offensive qualities in the national team. “Every forward is happy when they get space on the power play and can play more offensively. In the NHL, I have that role, that kind of box, and it’s hard to get out of it. But that doesn’t mean I’ve unlearned how to play hockey,” he said with with a smile.
In New Jersey, he managed only 36 games in the season and scored two goals and four assists. “She was injured. I was out for half the season, I had surgery, so I’d wrap it up with that. I don’t want to go into it any further. Then you try to jump on a bandwagon… It was tough. Towards the end, I finally played and it was noticeable both on the ice team and on the points,” declared Nosek.
Large international events have passed him by in the past, but he always wanted to start at the WC. “Until this year, for the first time in my career since I started playing adult hockey, I didn’t make the playoffs. There was never much of a chance. When there was one, I was injured. If there was a chance to go earlier, I would definitely go. The real chance didn’t come until this year. I am glad that the invitation came, and I will deny it,” he declared.
Many of his teammates are going to Prague. Already in Sunday’s match against Switzerland, he can meet three – goalkeeper Akira Schmid, defender Jonas Siegenthaler and forward Nic Hischier. “A lot of guys are going. Also Mercer for Canada, Holtz for the Swedes and (Luke) Hughes for America. Prague is tempting. What we talked about with the guys from the other teams, they all want to go,” said Nosek. He is looking forward to the meeting. “We haven’t contacted each other yet, but there will definitely be room. They’re flying in today, so we’ll have a few words and see each other for a while.”
New Jersey will also visit Prague for the NHL matches with Buffalo, which will be played in the O2 arena on October 4 and 5. “We discussed it. I don’t have a contract, so it doesn’t concern me yet. It would be a dream come true to play in the NHL in Prague,” said Nosek, whose one-year contract for one million dollars is expiring and he can become an unrestricted free agent in July player.
According to him, the Devils are interested in him, but he himself does not want to wait a long time like last year. “That’s the kind of talk. I’ve heard it several times before, but it wasn’t confirmed. They say they’re satisfied, they’d like to extend their cooperation with me. But it depends if it’s true or not. If we can come to an agreement. I waited like this in Boston last year until the last moment, I didn’t talk to the other teams, maybe it cost me a better contract, or the opportunity to play somewhere else. If they don’t give me a contract sooner, I’ll probably have to go elsewhere and I won’t wait as long as last year. The priority is definitely overseas, ” said Nosek.
Before the end of the transfer window in March, it was Boston that attracted him. “Something happened there, there was interest. I played eight minutes per game after the injury, so I didn’t oppose the transfer. But the manager came to me saying that he didn’t want to replace me and that I would get more time on the ice. That’s what happened, ” said Nosek. He wishes his former teammates from the Bruins, led by David Pastrňák and Pavel Zacha, to advance from the 1st round of the playoffs via Toronto. “Of course, I would be happy if the guys came to the championship and helped us, but that’s secondary now. The chance to win the Stanley Cup is very small, I wish them to win in the seventh game and fight for the Cup in the next rounds,” added Nosek .
