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September 29, 2004
Znojmo Pictures
Pictures pictures pictures! I'm just going to link right to the Znojmo site for now, because it'll take me a bit of time to get all of these pictures up here, and maybe if they see more hits from North America, they'll add more English content.
It makes me so happy to see him on the ice again.
Posted by jz at 12:04 PM | Comments (0)
September 27, 2004
Znojmo Roster
Havlat has been added to the Znojmo roster. He and Elias are practicing with the team, but will not make their debuts until Sunday at home against Zlin.
If you haven't wandered around their site yet, I recommend at least going to the photo section and checking out their uniforms. I think they're really supposed to resemble eagles!
And if you just want a pretty picture of a boy, here's Marek Uram, one of their star players, eating some ice cream.
Posted by jz at 05:51 PM | Comments (0)
September 25, 2004
Rodent
Hockey Rodent reports that Marty negotiated his contract with Znojmo on his own, without his agent. I wonder if the writing is on the wall for Allan Walsh and company? Rodent also reports that both Havlat and Elias will play their first games next Sunday, October 3.
Evidently Trinec management is far from impressed that Marty has decided to play for Znojmo.
Posted by jz at 10:13 PM | Comments (0)
September 24, 2004
Znojmo Revisited
It would seem my understanding was a little bit off. Garrioch reports that Havlat has signed with Znojmo.
Check out the in-arena sportsbar. Anyone want to fly me out there for some on the scene reporting? Anyone?
Posted by jz at 03:29 AM | Comments (0)
September 23, 2004
Znojmo
News spreading like wildfire through the Czech hockey news sites is that Marty wants to play for Znojmo with his good friend Patrik Elias. It's nice to know that they're as concerned about his plans as I am.
My understanding is that he wants to play with Znojmo, but there may be some difficulty because of prior arrangements with Trinec.
Znojmo is the team he was originally reported to be playing for last September when he was in contract negotiations with Ottawa.
Posted by jz at 12:32 PM | Comments (0)
September 19, 2004
Switzerland & Motorcycles
Saturday's Ottawa Sun reports that Marty is leaning toward Switzerland as his destination for the duration of the lockout.
In much more exciting news, Hana provided a translated interview from Blesk. How many times can I say thank you? Not nearly enough!
February 6, 2004
Havlat: I'd never ride a motorbike.
Back in October 2003 when the NHL season started, he was constantly arguing with Ottawa. After a few months, they made a deal and Ottawa has been talking about him in only superlatives since then. After two games that he had to miss because of problems with his thigh muscle, the newspapers wrote: Fortunately, Havlat will finally play.
Blesk: Martin, does this reference make you feel better after what you had to undergo before signing a deal with Ottawa?
MH: A little bit, of course. But it's not worthy to bother. They think of it as a business. When the deal is signed, everything's all right. We can be best friends again.
Blesk: Somehow strange, isn't it?
MH: Kind of. They are so nice and stuff for three years and all of a sudden they start saying some things you don't like to hear. Many players have experienced this, not just me. This belongs to hockey.
Blesk: In the beggining of the season, no one really talked about you. In the last 12 games -- you scored 9 times, had 8 assists and you've even been the Player of the Week.
MH: The beginning of the season was a bit slow. I didn't expect how I'd be missing that month! But I'm back in good form. The whole team is.
Blesk: You don't play really much, though. Doesn't that bother you?
MH: You know, everyone would like to play as much as he can. Me too. But in Ottawa Senators there's a big competition on the right wing -- Hossa, Alfredsson.
Blesk: But you don't seem to be complaining. Someone could take it more impulsively...
MH: At least I'm in a team that wins and has a chance to win something big.
Blesk: Do you like the fact that there are 7 Czechoslovaks in the team?
MH: Of course. The rest of the team isn't sometimes glad at all, because we speak Czech a lot, but sometimes it's necessary. We can complain and curse and they won't understand. But their vocabulary grows quickly...
Blesk: Do you get to see Vasek Varada sometimes? Or did he disappear after the knee injury?
MH: No, he's still in Ottawa, every day at the arena, trying to get back in form. They'll probably give him a break for three weeks because we're going to travel.
Blesk: Varada, Bonk and Rachunek are passionate motobikers. How about you?
MH: No, no! I've never ridden a motorbike and I'm going to keep it this way. You know, you make one mistake, and... I prefer cars.
Blesk: Do you still have a Hummer?
MH: No, I bought a Porsche.
Blesk: The sporty one? Carrera?
MH: No the biggest one -- Cayenne.
Blesk: Do you pay fines a lot?
MH: Not yet. Sometimes for parking, but not for speed. That's not even possible because I drive only for short distance, from my house to work. We'll see in the summer in the Czech Republic...
Blesk: You have long hair and a beard. New look?
MH: More like comfort. At least I don't look so young with the beard.
Posted by jz at 10:00 PM | Comments (1)
September 16, 2004
Lockout
Still no word on where Havlat will play during the lockout, but this article (announcing the signing of Radek Bonk) says that Havlat is expected to let Trinec know next week. If my translation is correct, they have an oral agreement, but Marty wants to take a couple of weeks off before playing hockey again.
Posted by jz at 11:07 AM | Comments (1)
September 15, 2004
Havlat signs with Sens
It's official: Havlat has re-signed with the Sens.
Posted by jz at 05:23 PM | Comments (0)
September 13, 2004
World Cup jersey
A little too expensive for me, but they're auctioning off game-worn jerseys from the World Cup. Here's Marty's listing, going for 400.12 USD right now.
There are a couple of other auctions for signed jerseys going on, including this one. Is it just me, or does he look like he needs a good meal?
Posted by jz at 07:20 PM | Comments (0)
September 12, 2004
Pictures and news.
Pictures from the games against Sweden and Canada are available here.
In other news, Marty's not rushing back home to Czechia, and Slam! reports that a new deal with Ottawa is imminent.
I have to extend thanks to Martin, Irena and Hana for offering their services in Czech translation. I'll be getting in contact with each of you very soon. I do a decent job, I think, but the help will be hugely appreciated.
Posted by jz at 06:59 PM | Comments (0)
September 11, 2004
Czechs-Canada
Heartbreaking loss for the Czechs in a truly exciting hockey game. Marty with a power play goal tying the game at 2 all, then a great set-up for Elias to tie the game up at 3. He backchecked, he worked along the boards, he (and the Czechs) had a fantastic game. There are pictures from both this game and the Sweden game, but frankly, I'm not in the mood to put them up right now and I expect there will be more, so they'll be up some time tomorrow.
"We played a great game. We had some bad luck in overtime," said Havlat. "I believe the better team lost."
Nonetheless, congratulations Canada!
Posted by jz at 10:54 PM | Comments (1)
September 07, 2004
Czechs-Swedes
A convincing victory for the Czechs over the Swedes today! Marty with the game-winning goal, a real beauty, but a lot of the credit belongs to Elias on that. The ESPN announcers were smitten by Havlat's play, but I didn't think it was actually that inspiring. Not bad, but not outstanding. If I find pictures, I'll post them later.
Posted by jz at 03:46 PM | Comments (0)
September 04, 2004
Germany revisited
The Czechs carried their good play in the Sweden game over to the Germany game and ended up winning 7-2. Marty had a goal and an assist and a fair chunk of power play time. He played a strong game with Elias and Vyborny, challenging for top line status.
Finland and Sweden played to a tie in their last round robin game today, and as a result (due to goal differential), the Czechs will be playing in Sweden on Tuesday for the quarterfinals.
Finally, the German Canadiens fan who took pictures at the Czechia/Germany pre-tournament game gave me permission to post his Havlat pictures here. Thank you so much!
Posted by jz at 09:14 PM | Comments (0)
September 02, 2004
German changes
It looks like Ruzicka is breaking up Sykora and Elias for the game against Germany. Havlat is practicing with Vyborny and Elias, Sykora is practicing with Dopita and Vlasak. Reichel won't be playing and Straka will be wearing the C in his place.
Added a few pictures and corrected World Cup stats.
Posted by jz at 02:15 PM | Comments (0)
September 01, 2004
Czechs-Sweden
Much better effort by the Czechs this game, though it didn't really show until the third period. Havlat with an assist and a little scrum with Zetterberg; he was definitely one of the best Czech players. Still no power play time, but his line was upgraded to Rucinsky and Vyborny, and he got to spend some time with Elias.
7:55p - Came across a Czech article talking about where he'll play in case of lockout. He says he'll figure it out after the World Cup, but Trinec in the Czech league and Geneva in the Swiss league seem to be the forerunners. Trinec is his old club, and I believe Bonk has already signed with them. Other possibilities include Znojmo, with Elias and Vokoun, or Sparta, where he played during contract negotiations last fall.
Posted by jz at 03:05 PM | Comments (0)