Pastrnak gives thanks for support in difficult time
Couple lost young son in June
David Pastrnak met with reporters on Thursday for the first time since the Bruins’ star forward and his girlfriend Rebecca suffered the tragic death of their 6-dayold son Viggo Rohl last June.
BRUINS NOTEBOOK
And though Pastrnak asked through the team’s public relations that reporters not ask him any questions about his loss, he did open with a statement about his ordeal.
“On behalf of myself and my girlfriend Rebecca, we just want to thank everybody from our whole family to my teammates, our players and the whole organization and fans for the support. It’s a tough time we’re going through and still going. Obviously, we have your support, guys, so (thanks) go to you guys as well,” said Pastrnak. “For all the support around the league and the fans, from my family and her family, we thank you so much. We’re excited to start the season and I can’t wait for tonight’s game.”
Once Pastrnak got through the statement, he showed the same smiling and outgoing personality he’s shown since being drafted in 2014.
He also addressed the departure of a teammate who has served as a friend and mentor, David Krejci, his Czech countryman who decided to return home to play in front of friends and family. Pastrnak has never been shy about the fact that he always looked up to Krejci.
“It’s going to be something really different. I’m used to having him all the time as my idol/best friend. … When I didn’t know what to do, he was always there for me,” said Pastrnak. “Obviously I’m going to miss him tons and I’ll stay in contact. I know he’s having a hell of a time back home in Czech and well deserved, playing in front of his family and friends and showing his kids and wife around where he grew up. I’m so happy for him, but obviously going to miss him a ton.”
It’s not just that Krejci returned to his native land, but how he did it, said Pastrnak.
“You know what I think the beauty of that is, he actually didn’t go to — not to disrespect — but he didn’t go to the best club in the Czech Republic,” said Pastrnak. “He went to his hometown club (HC Olomouc), which is pretty special for every European player who leaves their own country to follow their dreams, going overseas with no family and no friends to America. It’s well deserved and I’m happy he did that. I’m pretty sure he’s enjoying it as much as he can and his team is doing well.”
Krejci has said that he won’t be returning to the Bruins this year, but Pastrnak has a strong chance to play with him again for the Czech Republic’s Olympic team in Beijing.
“One of my dreams growing up as a kid was to play for the national team. That’s pretty much all you see back home, the national team and the highest league in Czech Repubic,” said Pastrnak. “I didn’t want to get too excited before (it was announced) we were going. Now that it’s out there, hopefully everything goes as planned and we’ll have the opportunity to represent my country there. … (Krejci) is going to be there for sure. It will be really special to meet up again. Overall, it’s been a long time since he was on the national team, so I think he’s really pumped.”
It has been an offseason of great overhaul for the Bruins, who not only said goodbye to Krejci but also (for now at least) Tuukka Rask.
“We all know this stuff happens in our business. It’s obviously tough when it happens, you can’t do anything else but move on,” said Pastrnak. “But it’s a special group here and a lot of great people around, so I’m really excited for the season. It’s like a second family. It’s awesome.”
B’s beat Flyers
Jeremy Swayman stopped 16 of 18 shots and the Bruins got a pair of power-play goals to beat a JV-heavy Flyers squad, 4-2, in preseason action at the Garden on Thursday. Brad Marchand and Craig Smith scored on the man advantage, Jake DeBrusk
scored 5-on-5 (his second in as many preseason games) and Brandon Carlo scored a 4-on-4 goal.
The B’s did give up a pair of PP goals.
After the Flyers went up 1-0, Taylor Hall made good on his chance to play on the first power-play unit, making a diving, flicking pass to Marchand for a primary assist.
Erik Haula continues to look like he’ll be a strong pickup. He notched a secondary assist on Smith’s goal on a nice pass to Nick Foligno, who in turn made a pretty feed to Smith for the tally. Foligno also looked good in his Bruins debut, buzzing around and delivering an early hit.
Jakub Zboril had a rough night, taking a pair of penalties and giving up a promising chance when he couldn’t keep the puck in at the point.
Trent Frederic wasn’t able to distinguish himself much while centering a fourth line between Cameron Hughes and Chris Wagner.