"I was young and crazy": the enigmatic Jiri Sekac confides in his path in Montreal

During an ephemeral period of time, Jiri Sekac seemed to be promised a bright future with Montreal Canadians.His speed and skills were dying.However, Sekac has spoiled everything.The main interested party admits him himself.

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In theory, he had the talent to provide a spark in a third trio of the National Hockey League.Alas, the reasons for his failure have nothing to do with talent.

During a most candid telephone interview with Vasports.ca from Switzerland, the striker who now evolves in Lausanne has been able to hear barely covered in words that he was celebrating without a future in Montreal streets, whichdirectly led to its loss.

"I was young and crazy (Young and Wild)," said Sekac in a momentum of honesty that surprised his interlocutor.I did not behave like a professional.I thought it was easy for me to play in the NHL.I did not appreciate this chance enough. "

At the Sekac discharge, his life has changed at all in a very short period of time.In one season, downright, this player of whom nobody cared became a attacker very popular with the training of the National Hockey League, who were numerous to want to hire him after he had had an excellent season in the Continental League(KHL) with the Prague Lev, at 21 years old.

Sekac came out of nowhere: he had not been drafted, he who had had a very modest success in the junior in North America, both in Canada and in the United States.

In the summer of 2014, CH won the derby for the services of this mysterious winger.

"Two years earlier, I was a player whom no one knew, practically, then I had a good season in the KHL before arriving in the NHL.It was a difficult situation to manage and I got lost.This is what happened, ”said Sekac without scrolling.

Interesting beginnings

Sekac quickly conquered Montreal supporters, from his first skating strokes of the training camp.During preparatory matches, he was everywhere on the ice, causing a chance to score almost every presence.

He has started the real season well, too.After 24 games with the Canadians, he claimed 12 points, including six goals, which was not so bad for a third trio player who then had an average ice time of 14 minutes.His performances convinced the CH to drop René Bourque in the American League.

Sekac had notably spread out his eyes with a superb turnstile against the Kings of Los Angeles, on December 12, 2014.

Things were spoiled for him afterwards.The number 26 was limited to four points, including a meager goal, in its following 26 games.His playing time melted in sight.

The fault of everything except him

"My non-professional behavior outside the ice has obviously affected my performances, which were inconsistent," said Sekac.And the most important quality in the NHL is consistency, the ability to perform each evening. ”

At that time, Sekac, with the naivety of his young twenty, was convinced that he was not responsible for his failures.

"I was stupid for a while.I thought it was not my fault, that I was not given enough chance to make me argue.With age and experience, I understood today ... "

The Canadians were starting to get tired of his watered evenings and have even served him on warnings several times.Warnings that fell into the ears of a deaf.

"Some people came to talk to me and advised me to change my behavior, but in my head was just something I wanted to do.I'm someone stubborn.If I want to do something, I'm probably going to do it, simply. ”

Marc Bergevin ended up exchanging Sekac on February 24, 2015 at the Ducks of Anaheim in return from Devante Smith-Pelly.The Director General of Canadians did not really have a choice.And Sekac doesn't blame him at all, he is grateful to the man who gave him a chance in the NHL.

Sekac does not want Michel Therrien more who, decidedly, did not carry him in his heart.

"He was a hard coach (laughs)," he said.But I didn't do what I had to do.You have to perform every night.If you can't do it and you have a severe coach, he's going to let you know. "

The new Sekac

Sekac is now living a quieter life in Switzerland with his wife, his two -month -old son and his three -year -old daughter.

After playing in Russia in the past five years, he feels more comfortable than ever in his new reception land.

"It's different here.I don't want to say anything wrong about Russia, I was well treated there.It's perfect in Moscow.But here it is quieter, quieter.There is less traffic.The mountains are superb. "

If it was to do again, would the father he became returned in time to erase the mistakes of the past?His reflection is rather nuanced.

“Obviously, I would prefer to play in the NHL right now.I don't know if I have regrets, because it was pleasant anyway.But, yeah, obviously, I would have done things differently, that's for sure. ”

Loose

On the announcement of Carey Price, who revealed to be struggling with consumption problems ...

“He is a calm guy, he is not very noisy in a wardrobe.He didn't look like guys who would encounter this kind of problem. ”

On Brendan Gallagher ...

“We were the same age when I arrived in Montreal.He was one of the guys I spoke the most.I remember his work ethics on the ice, it was impressive.He is one of the most working players with whom I played.He is not the biggest, but he battles hard and he dearly sells his skin.It's quite incredible. "

On his links with the CH ...

"Since I left Montreal, I have not spoken to anyone who was part of the team at the time."

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