 Rookie goaltender Michal Neuvirth is featured in this edition of “Breaking the Ice with…” The feature showcases different Whalers so we can get to know them better.
This past summer, the Washington Capitals selected Neuvirth in the second round (34th overall) in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft and then a few weeks later the Whalers selected him with the 27th pick of the CHL Import Draft. In the regular season, he led the OHL in goals against average and save percentage. The Usti Nad Labem, Czech Republic, native took a few minutes on his 19th birthday to help us break the ice and chat about getting drafted, the adjustment to North America, and being named OHL Goalie of the Month.
» On the best advice he has been given…
“Work hard. Don’t give up.”
» On how he started playing hockey…
“I was 6 years old when I first skate in my hometown. I became a goalie then. When I was 15, I was traded from my hometown to Sparta. I play last three years for Sparta Prague. Now I play here.”
 » On his most memorable game…
“Last year for National Team at Under-18 Championship against Sweden. We won 3-0 and it was in Sweden. It was good for everyone and exciting.”
» On his most memorable game as a Whaler…
“Against London we won 3-0 in London. I got a shutout.”
» On who has influenced him in hockey…
“I started with my dad. He coached me when I was 10. I have had lots of coaches, but I would say my dad.”
» On the championships he has won…
“I won Winter Olympic Games Under-17 for National Team in Switzerland. I was just every other time second or third.”
» On if he has ever played against any of the guys before…
“I played against Jozef (Sladok) like 4 times at different tournaments – Under-16, 17, and 18. All for National Team. I play against Army (John Armstrong) last year in Czech Republic for Under-18 Junior Cup.”
» On the toughest player he has played against…
“Probably (John) Tavares. He scored on me. He has stuff I have never seen.”
» On the player he tries to model his game after…
“I don’t try to model my game, but I like Cam Ward in Carolina. I like younger goalies.”
» On differences between the Czech Republic and the United States…
“Most different for me is food. For hockey, this is faster than in the Czech. In Czech, it is smarter, the guys are older. I was third goalie for Sparta Prague and I was first goalie for junior league.”
 » On his parents coming to visit in January…
“It is good for us. It was first time I see my parents after six months, so we had good time.”
» On being named OHL Goalie of the Month…
“I feel good. I play very good that month, maybe December a little better, but I was goalie for January. I was so happy.”
» On his relationship with Jeremy Smith…
“I think relationship is good. We talk about goals and stuff after practice and after game. I know he wants to be goalie number one, but we have to do what the coaches say.”
» On the NHL Draft…
“I was drafted last year by Washington. I was so excited to see Vancouver with my parents. It was a good time. I was little nervous before draft. I was waiting for hot dog and my agent come and tell me, ‘You drafted,’ so I threw away my hot dog and went to meet Washington.”
» On being drafted by the Whalers…
“I was surprised. I know Saskatoon Blades from WHL wanted me, but the Whalers pick me pick me first before Saskatoon. I talked to scout from Slovakia, he works for Whalers and he said give it a try.”
» On attending NHL camps…
“I was at their rookie camp with the Hershey Bears. Before season here, I went to pro camp in Washington. I met (Alexander) Ovechkin and lots of NHL guys. I see locker room for NHL, so it was good.”
» On if there is anything behind his jersey number 40…
“In my hometown in Usti I have 20 and in Sparta I have 30 - that’s my number. Smitty (Jeremy Smith) has number here, so I pick 40.”
» On his typical day…
“I am not in school anymore here, I just finished, so I wake up at 9:30. Somebody pick me up for morning practice, I just get in a little workout for 30 minutes. I then go home for lunch or another sleep and come back here for practice. After practice, I hang out and chill out with guys from the team.”
 » On his pre-game routine…
“I need good sleep and pasta and chicken.”
» On what he'd be doing if he didn't play hockey…
“I play tennis in the summer, so maybe a tennis coach. Something in sports.”
» On if he has any superstitions…
“I have superstitions, but I don’t say them to anyone.”
» On what one thing he could not live without…
“On a road trip, my pillow.”
» On goalies being a little different…
“Yeah, crazy and lazy. Goalies are different, different than normal guys on the team.”
» On his dream vacation…
“I would go to Hawaii with my friends from Usti.”
» On his funniest teammate…
“There are bunch of funny guys on the team, maybe Steve Ward. He is a clown.”
» On the person he'd most like to meet…
“Probably some girl from movies. I don’t care who.”
» On what other players he would want on the ice with him…
“Another goalie would be Dominik Hasek. He’s from Czech. He is legend to me. Defense would be Ray Bourque and Bobby Orr. Forwards would be Jaromir Jagr, Steve Yzerman, and Brett Hull.”
-Natalie Shaver, March 23rd, 2007-
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