Homemade world championship under 18 years represent an exceptional moment for young hockey players and an eighteen-year-old goalkeeper SAMUEL HRENÁK he is well aware of it.
“I especially want to enjoy it, because home championships are not held in Slovakia every year,” he said in an interview with Sportnet.
He started the season in junior team HK Dukla Trenčín and in the project of the under-18 national team, but gradually decided to go overseas. It was there that he saw the path followed by other Slovak goalkeepers, including his older brother.
Hrenák comes from a hockey family, he has two older brothers and they all play hockey. The experience from the American junior league has moved him from the game and mental side, and now he wants to take advantage of them at the home championship in front of Slovak fans.
You were also at the under-18 championship last year. You have played one match. How do you feel about this year?
I think we are a really great team. We had some time to touch each other more. We are very happy with the selection and how we work as a team, so I believe it will be good.
Did the coaches indicate your position in the team?
I don’t know that yet. I take it as an honor to be with the team at all. Even though I was here last year, it’s never guaranteed. I will accept whatever position the coaches give me.
What are your expectations going into the tournament?
We want to win every next game that awaits us. We especially want to enjoy it, because home championships are not held every year in Slovakia. I don’t want to feel a lot of pressure, I believe it will be fine.
How do you rate your season, during which you worked in several teams, including America?
In the beginning it was quite hectic, I went up and down, but when I went to America, I settled down and it was fine. I was incredibly lucky with the club, the organization was excellent and I was well taken care of. I’m very happy that it turned out this way and now I’m ready to fight for a place.
In what do you feel the biggest shift in the last year?
I don’t notice it as much during the season, but I feel that I am more compact. The speed of the game and the experience of matches against men also helped me. In America the pace is unbelievable, the USHL is one of the fastest junior leagues, so it pushed me a lot and made me faster in all aspects.
How was the decision to go to the USA born?
Communication with the club took place since the beginning of the season, but it was weaker. Around December, we started dealing with it more intensively – documents and the like. Before the U20 World Cup, I got the green light to go, so that was nice.
Why did you finally decide to take this step?
We saw how it helped Michal Prádel last year, so I wanted to try it too. I knew that project matches against men would help me – a lot of shots, a lot of situations. And then the transition to America was smoother than if I had gone directly from junior school.
You joined the Fargo Force team in February. How did you fit into the team after coming into the season?
Excellent. The morale of the team was excellent, they accepted me right away. There was also one Czech, with whom I got along, and several Europeans, so communication was easier. But the Americans and the coaches were also great. It was incredible and I believe I will go back there again.
How did those around you perceive going overseas?
I come from a hockey family, my brother was already in America, so they knew what I was getting into. They had an idea about the league and its functioning. They were very proud of me, but it’s still just the beginning of what the career can bring.
You had excellent statistics. What contributed to this?
The matches in the project in Slovakia helped me a lot – a lot of situations that I had to deal with. It wasn’t easy, but the team was incredible, we had a quality squad and I played well.
You also scored a goal. How do you remember that moment?
It was very interesting, because in the league goalkeepers can play with the puck behind the goal and go to the corners, which is not common elsewhere. The first time I used it, I went to the corner, I saw that the gate was exposed, so I tried it and it fell there.
We were weakened, so there was no danger of a forbidden release. The guys told me that the goalie coach was yelling at me not to shoot, so it was funny.
To this day, I can’t fully recall that moment in my head. I’m still processing it. But it was unreal, especially in front of a sold-out stadium. A huge noise broke out in the hall. It was fun.
How did you celebrate?
In the cabin, the guys then poured cold water on me from a big bucket. It was fun.
Goalkeeper Samuel Hrenák celebrates the goal. (Author: Fargo Force)
How is your USA team doing at the U18 World Cup?
If they advance, they could still be in the game after the championships. There is a possibility of a comeback, but I’m not focusing on that now, the championship is in the first place now.
Did the team have a problem releasing you?
It was agreed in advance, similar to last year with Miš Prádel. The club has an obligation to release a player for the World Cup, so they were perfectly fine. This is how we set it up with my advisor.
How does the Slovak goalkeeper community work in the league?
We are still in contact with Miša Pradel and Alan Lenďak. I fished with Miš in the project, we have an excellent relationship with Alan. We have been to several camps together.
Leonardo Henriquez and I don’t talk that much, but we know each other. He has incredible numbers and I wish him the best. Fingers crossed for everyone, every Slovak track in such a league is great.
Older brother Dávid is also a goalkeeper and also played in the USHL. How does it help you?
We communicate all the time, after every game. When I have a problem, I write to him. He already knows the league, he gives me advice on what to watch out for and how to make a good first impression. It tells me what Americans notice. I am very grateful for that.
It’s one of the advantages over my peers that I have a brother who went through it. I’m actually following in his footsteps.
So you got it going better than him?
It’s hard to say, but probably yes (laughs).
What is life like in Fargo, which sits on the border of North Dakota and Minnesota?
A lot depends on the surrogate family you get. I had an excellent one, so it was incredible. It was cold there, but it didn’t bother me, I mostly walked between the winter stadium and home.
How do you spend your time outside of hockey?
There is not much to do there. I was at the stadium a lot, spending time with my family, sometimes with my teammates, to build relationships.
What do you miss most about Slovakia?
Definitely Slovak food. In my opinion, we have it the best, and the food in general is better here than in America.
How do you feel about your draft chances?
I don’t focus on it at all. I take that as a bonus. It’s a lottery, we’ll see how it goes.
