Jets blamed for Czech goalie being a no-show
Winnipeg — winni pegjets goaltender Ondrej Pavelec is in the middle of a controversy with officials from the Czech Republic national team over his availability for next month’s IIHF World Hockey Championship.
At his exit meetings with Jet coaches and management last weekend the 24-year-old native of Kladno told the club he was tired from a long season — he appeared in a career-high 68 games and was hoping the team would throw up a stop sign for his participation at the worlds.
But the Jets opted not to be his ‘out’ and told him they would support his decision whether he opted out of the championship or suited up and played.
Earlier this week Czech head coach Alois Hadamczik seemed to be under the impression the Jets were preventing Pavelec from playing, telling IDNES.CZ — the largest news company in the country — he was disappointed the star goaltender would not be available.
A story on the IDNES.CZ website detailing his concerns, and loosely translated, quotes Hadamczik as saying:
“I really wish that Pavelec came because he is the cornerstone on which we build the national team. He’s a great goalie. And it seems absurd to me because Winnipeg is not in the (Stanley Cup) playoffs. He’s a young man who helped us in last year’s championship.”
Asked what he told Pavelec, the coach is quoted as saying:
“That he cannot go against the wishes of the club. It makes me said and disappointed because seven World Cup games would not hurt him. Of course, I understand the psyche of the players, before they sign a the long-term contract. It is about his future. Still, tried to explain many things to him.
“I explained to him that the Czech Republic won last year’s championship … that it would be disappointing if he did not come. I told him to even start the fight.”
In other world championship news, the Jets have confirmed that Nik Antropov will not join Khazakstan at the tournament. Antropov, who started his career with the Toronto Maple Leafs, was slowed down the stretch by an injured knee and he may require surgery on his right hand which was damaged back in November.