ROCKETS
— Korczak’s silver linings —
Kelowna Rockets defenceman Kaedan Korczak celebrated his silver medal from the World Juniors in the simplest way possible.
“It was great when I woke up this morning and got to go outside for some fresh air,” Korczak told Kelownarockets.com shortly after the tournament ended in Edmonton.
It was the first time in 24 days that he had been outside.
After departing their Red Deer training camp on Dec. 13, the Canadians went inside for the entirety of the tournament, which ended Jan. 4. Staying at the Marriott in Edmonton’s ICE District, the team had an indoor pedway to walk to the rink every game. Only teams staying at the Sutton Hotel would go outside to take a bus to the rink a few blocks away.
Korczak said he enjoyed his experience in the bubble, regardless; the set up was great for a variety of reasons, he said.
“It was an upgrade from our hotel in Red Deer. It was more flexible in Edmonton; there was a players lounge set up for us and we could order room service or food delivery to the hotel. Instead of going to guys’ rooms, we could go (to the lounge) and play ping-pong or watch other teams’ games.”
Incidentally, Korczak declared Earl’s his favourite “Door Dash” option and Jamie Drysdale (Erie Otters, OHL; Anaheim Ducks, NHL) the best table tennis player.
In a tournament unlike any other, Korczak wasn’t able to have friends or family there with him. Considering that, he said the support Canada received was incredible.
“It was great to have the support of the fans in Kelowna, the fans back home in Saskatchewan and my family and friends. Every game we felt it for sure. On the big Jumbotron, there were always those fan cams set up so it was really cool to see when our families were up there.”
While it was a unique situation for all teams and all players, it was especially unique for Korczak for another reason.
Canada’s national teams feature the best players in the country, meaning oftentimes stars must accept roles that are out of the ordinary. For Korczak, who has been a top defenceman his entire career, he was primarily used as Canada’s extra defenceman in the tournament. He dressed for the final two games but did not get any ice time. Korczak ended the tournament with one assist and a plus-five rating.
“It was tough for sure, just knowing I was in that position. It was the first time in my life that I had been in that spot, but it wasn’t something I could control,” he said. “Like (New Jersey Devils defenceman) P.K. Subban at the 2014 Olympics, I cheered on my teammates and I was there to do my part. I was happy to be there with 25 great guys for 52 days.
“It’s an honour any time you get the chance to represent your country in any capacity.”
He did see a familiar face on the other side of the ice at one point, taking on Rockets teammate Pavel Novak and the Czech Republic in the quarterfinals. Canada prevailed in that game 3-0.
“That was pretty cool to play against Novie; him and I best buddies. We spend a lot of time together in Kelowna. I pick him up every day and we drive to the rink together. That was a pretty special game for him and myself.”
Novak finished the tournament with a goal, two assists and a zero plus-minus rating. The Czechs — who went 2-2 in Edmonton — also featured Rockets draft pick Michael Krutil, a defenceman.
Krutil went pointless and minus-3. Korczak said this year’s Team Canada will always remain special to him.
“The guys from college had to quarantine for two weeks when we got to Red Deer, and we didn’t get to see them during that time. Then we went into our quarantine after the positive cases (in early December), so we didn’t see them for an entire month. I was really close with our goalie Devon Levi, Thomas Harley, Alex Newhook and Peyton Krebs.
“There were so many great guys; there were no cliques between the leagues. This group wasn’t like that at all and it was something that was really special to be a part of.”
Korczak managed to get time in Vegas after the tournament. Chosen in the second round in 2019, there was little chance he’d stay with his NHL club. But he got a chance to acclimatize himself to life in the pros before being reassigned to the Knights’ AHL affiliate, the Henderson Silver Knights.
Vegas has a full roster on defence, including prized free-agent signing Alex Pietrangelo.