Matt Prapavessis: Can't wait to meet the fans
Matthew Prapavessis er den eneste udlænding indtil videre, som er blevet offentliggjort af SønderjyskE.
Matthew kommer fra byen Oakville i Ontario-provinsen, en by på 139 km² og med indbyggertal på 193,832, som er lidt mere end Odense.
Oakville ligger lige mellem de to store byer, Toronto og Hamilton, og lige ved siden af Oakville ligger byen Mississauga.
Her spillede Matthew i midt-teenageårene fra sæsonen 2007 til 2010 for Mississauga Chargers, hvorefter han drog til USA og spillede en enkelt sæson for Lincoln Stars.
I 2011 begyndte Matthew på Bemidji State Univ, hvor han i sin anden sæson for holdet blev assisterende kaptajn, og efterfølgende kaptajn i sine sidste to år.
Billede af Matthew Prapavessis, som kaptajn for Bemidji State Univ.
Efter 4 sæsoner i universitets-ligaen NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) var turen nu kommet til at prøve sig i den anden bedste række i USA, American Hockey League.
I AHL stod Rochester Americans og ventede på ham, men med blot 3 point i 35 kampe, viste AHL sig måske at være lige en tand for meget for Matthew.
Derfor gik han et skridt ned af rangstigen og spillede i ECHL (East Coast Hockey League) for først Elmira Jackals, og senere for Greenville Swamp Rabbits. ECHL viste sig at være et bedre match med Matthew, med 63 point i 144 kampe.
Matthew Prapavessis i kamp for Rochester Americans.
Mellem de to sæsoner for Greenville Swamp Rabbits, prøvede Matthew sig af i Europa.
Han tog konen under armen, og sammen rejste de til den slovakiske klub HC Nove Zamky, men opholdet blev kortere end forventet, forklaringen kommer længere nede i artiklen.
Jeg kontaktede Matthew for at høre om han var interesseret i at deltage i et hurtigt interview, og svare på nogle spørgsmål, det ville han meget gerne, så bliv lige hængende lidt endnu.
Interviewet foregik på engelsk, spørgsmål og svar kan ses her nedenunder.
What do you like about hockey and why did you choose to become a professional hockey player?
Hockey has been a huge part of my life for as long as I could remember. As soon as I was walking my father had me on skates and from that moment I never looked back. I turned professional after completing my economics degree where I played college hockey in NCAA. I could not pass up an opportunity to be paid to play the game that I love so much.
You play a defensive position
Have you always played defenseman?
I have played defense since I was about 7 years old. I was always a really good backwards skater so my coach placed me on defense.
What is it you like about playing in the defense?
I like that the play is always in front of me and that I can see the all the players on the ice in order to make good reads with and without the puck. I like having possession of the puck in the offensive zone and getting opportunities to make plays from the blue line.
What is your strong side?
I have very good offensive instincts and like to get involved with the offense when the opportunities are available. I have a very good shot from the blueline and, I also pride myself in my defensive stick checking abilities to help win possession of the puck in order to transition to the attack.
Do you have an idol on the ice?
My favorite player growing up was Nik Lidstrom (nicklas-lidstrom Red.) and I always tried to model my game after him.
How about an idol outside the ice?
My parents. They have worked so hard to give me so much opportunity to succeed in my profession. Understanding now all the sacrifices they have made and all the long days they had to give me a chance to do what I love.
If you had to choose a different career, what would you be doing?
If I could choose any other career I would like to be involved in sports in some capacity. I also have an economics degree so something in a business/economic field would also be of interest.
The last time you played in Europe you played for HC Nove Zamky in Slokavia, but after 21 matches you left the club and went back to the Swamp Rabbits.
How come?
My wife and I just never felt comfortable where we were. The language and cultural barriers were all very hard to overcome. We were also the only North Americans on the team, which made it very difficult to socialize with other people. For our first experience in Europe it was all too much to handle. However it was still a very hard decision to make. I am a very loyal person and did not want to leave my teammates but family had to come first and ultimately we decided to go back to the team we played for the previous season.
Kevin Henderson, who is a former SønderjyskE player, told me in an interview I did a while back, that he encountered a language barrier in Slovakia.
did you encounter that problem too?
Like I said above the language and cultural differences were very had to overcome. We lived in a very small village in Slovakia where there was almost zero English. This made things extremely difficult for us, and with being the only North Americans we felt very isolated.
Players who ends up in Denmark usually ask around to get some information about the Danish league before signing.
Do you know any players, who have played in Denmark before?
I know Brendan Cook who played for SønderjyskE a few years ago. I reached out to him and he had nothing but great things to say. He made my decision to sign with SønderjyskE very easy. He played for coach Mario and played with our GM kim and all the things he said about the city and fans were positive.
Have you heard anything about the Danish league before you decided to sign with SønderjyskE?
I know this is a very good hockey league and that Danish hockey is becoming stronger and stronger. Seeing all the great Danish players come to North America to play in the NHL it is easy to tell that the league will be very strong and have some great young Danish talent
What have you heard about the fans and what do you expect?
I have heard nothing but great things about the fans we have, which is really exciting. There is nothing better than playing your best hockey for a great fan base. I feel very grateful to get a chance to play hockey in front of the best fans in Denmark. I have heard that Denmark is a very beautiful country and very English friendly, although my wife and I are trying to pick up a few Danish phrases over the offseason.
What do you think is the biggest difference between playing in America and Europe?
I think the Olympic ice makes the game a little different from the NA game. Because of this I think the physicality and fighting aspect isn’t as prominent in the European game and with more room on the ice we have more time and space to make good decisions with the puck, which I think suits my style of play.
What is your best hockey moment until this day?
One of my best moments was playing in my first professional game. Getting that opportunity to play a game at one of the highest levels and being classified, as a professional for the first time was a very proud moment for me. And to be able to share that with my family was very special.
Do you have a message for the SønderjyskE fans?
I really look forward to playing in front of the best fan groups in the Metal Ligaen.
My wife and I are extremely excited to be coming to Denmark and cannot wait to meet all the great fans and people of Vojens in August.
Lastly I am thrilled to be part of this great hockey organization with the all the history of championships, and I cannot wait to help bring another championship to the city and hockey fans of Vojens and southern Denmark.
