“Juraj reminds me of a young Jagger”

A rare visit from Slovakia took place in the Canadian locker room after the game. Richard Zednik, a former CH player, took the time to come and greet his compatriot Juraj Slafkowski.

“I’m staying in Slovakia now, but my daughter is studying in Montreal,” says Zednik. I had a quick four-day trip here and was happy to be there for Juraj’s debut with the Canadians. My daughter and her boyfriend also wanted to come to the Bell Center.

• Also Read: CH: Amazing curtain raiser success

• Also Read: Unexpected support for Slafkowski

Zednik met reporters before heading to another corner to chat with the top of the class from the last repechage.

“I don’t know if he remembered me with the Canadian, maybe not because he was so young, but because I wore the same number as him in the 20s,” recalls the sympathetic 46-year-old.

Zednik played his final season in Montreal in 2005-2006. At the time, Slafkowski was only two years old.

A phenomenon in Slovakia

Retired from hockey in 2010-2011 after a career of more than 700 NHL games and two more seasons in Europe, Zednik described the young Canadian winger as a raw talent.

“Juraj is a big story in Slovakia,” he noted. He played for the national team last year (Olympics and World Championship) and he was our best player. He is still very young. He is my son’s favorite player. We talk a lot about him in the media of our country. We break down his match.

“When I watch him play, Juraj reminds me of a young Jaromir Jagr,” he continued. He can beat a defender in the corner and thanks to his physicality. He can create scoring opportunities himself.

Zednik took the time to offer advice on Montreal.

“I told him…