preložiť Juraj Slafkovský slammed SZĽH: In Slovak hockey, it's decided by acquaintances, everyone is afraid to talk about it
In an interview with Canadian journalist Arpon Basu, former NHL draft pick and Slovak hockey player Juraj Slafkovský shared his experience of life in his native country and his views on Slovak hockey.
He found life in Slovakia much harder than in Montreal, complaining about the lack of privacy and the tabloid media's interference in his life.
"In Slovakia, everyone knows me, which makes it difficult to do everyday things like shopping," the Slovakian Canadiens star told The Athletic.
He criticized the state of Slovak hockey and the Slovak Ice Hockey Association.
A few things need to change
"A few things need to change at the Slovak Ice Hockey Federation if we want to be successful again," he noted.
Slafkovský also claims that former players such as Marian Hossa and Marian Gaborik are not interested in working for the federation because "some people are there to benefit them and not Slovak ice hockey".
He also criticised corruption and inefficiency in the system, where connections, not talent, often decide.
"In Slovakia, everything is about connections and everyone is afraid to talk about it," Slafkovský said. He added that he is trying to assert himself on the basis of his abilities.
He warned against complacency
Despite his success at the Olympics, Slafkovsky warned against complacency.
"I feel that after the Olympic bronze many people got complacent. If the NHL players had played, we would not have won the medal," he said.
He called for the need for improvement in the leadership of Slovak hockey to ensure the future of the sport in Slovakia.
See also the archive report from 10 April on Juraj Slafkovski's first hat-trick for the Habs: