nivek_wahs
02-14-2007, 04:57 AM
http://www.paherald.sk.ca/index.cfm?sid=9636&sc=5
Canada = hockey for Raider pair
BY NICOLE JOSIN
The Prince Albert Daily Herald 13/02/07
It's a simple equation for Prince Albert Raiders Slovakian forwards Lukas Zeliska and Milan Jurik.
Canada equals hockey.
The pair of 18-year-olds joined the Raiders this season after being selected in the 2006 Canadian Hockey League import draft. The two knew coming to the Great White North would easily expand their hockey repertoire.
"It will be a big experience to learn a different style of hockey," Jurik said after Monday's practice at the Art Hauser Centre. "We also get to learn the language."
Jurik, who often acts as translator for Zeliska, said his first couple of games in the Western Hockey League were difficult. Zeliska, after translation of the question, also nodded. In Slovakia the game is more technical, more hits are thrown in Canada and the ice surface is smaller, they said in a combined answer.
The transition hasn't been so bad. Zeliska has racked up 26 points and Jurik, who spends a lot of time on the Raider penalty kill, has 13 points.
But it's not just the on-ice transition that the two have to worry about. They're adjusting to a new life and a new language. Both take English classes every morning and have had help from teammates and coaches.
"I talk to them and explain after the drill to make sure he understands," said Ryan DePape, Zeliska's linemate. "Sometimes they have a question or two and I try to answer it."
The homesickness Jurik and Zeliska feel is no different than any other player who has moved away from home, except home is considerably farther away.
"We miss friends and family," said Jurik.
"Food," Zeliska added with a smile.
Slovakian language lessons haven't been extended to the English-speaking Raiders.
"It's a tough tongue," DePape said with a laugh. "I generally have no idea what they are saying. But it's still easy to have fun with them and they laugh just as much as we do in the locker room. They don't get treated any different."
The Raiders hit the road Monday after practice for a three-game road trip. They visit the Medicine Hat Tigers tonight, the Red Deer Rebels on Wednesday and the Swift Current Broncos on Friday.
The Raiders are back on home ice Feb. 21 to clash with the Calgary Hitmen. Game time is 7:30 p.m. at the Art Hauser Centre.
njosin@paherald.sk.ca
Canada = hockey for Raider pair
BY NICOLE JOSIN
The Prince Albert Daily Herald 13/02/07
It's a simple equation for Prince Albert Raiders Slovakian forwards Lukas Zeliska and Milan Jurik.
Canada equals hockey.
The pair of 18-year-olds joined the Raiders this season after being selected in the 2006 Canadian Hockey League import draft. The two knew coming to the Great White North would easily expand their hockey repertoire.
"It will be a big experience to learn a different style of hockey," Jurik said after Monday's practice at the Art Hauser Centre. "We also get to learn the language."
Jurik, who often acts as translator for Zeliska, said his first couple of games in the Western Hockey League were difficult. Zeliska, after translation of the question, also nodded. In Slovakia the game is more technical, more hits are thrown in Canada and the ice surface is smaller, they said in a combined answer.
The transition hasn't been so bad. Zeliska has racked up 26 points and Jurik, who spends a lot of time on the Raider penalty kill, has 13 points.
But it's not just the on-ice transition that the two have to worry about. They're adjusting to a new life and a new language. Both take English classes every morning and have had help from teammates and coaches.
"I talk to them and explain after the drill to make sure he understands," said Ryan DePape, Zeliska's linemate. "Sometimes they have a question or two and I try to answer it."
The homesickness Jurik and Zeliska feel is no different than any other player who has moved away from home, except home is considerably farther away.
"We miss friends and family," said Jurik.
"Food," Zeliska added with a smile.
Slovakian language lessons haven't been extended to the English-speaking Raiders.
"It's a tough tongue," DePape said with a laugh. "I generally have no idea what they are saying. But it's still easy to have fun with them and they laugh just as much as we do in the locker room. They don't get treated any different."
The Raiders hit the road Monday after practice for a three-game road trip. They visit the Medicine Hat Tigers tonight, the Red Deer Rebels on Wednesday and the Swift Current Broncos on Friday.
The Raiders are back on home ice Feb. 21 to clash with the Calgary Hitmen. Game time is 7:30 p.m. at the Art Hauser Centre.
njosin@paherald.sk.ca