Daniel Voženílek became the central figure of the Třinec hockey players on their way to the fourth extraleague title in a row and the fifth in the club’s history. The hairy forward from Pardubice shone on the ice, giving out hits and scoring points. During the season, he got his first glimpse into the national team and now he might not be far from the next invitation.
But that will be resolved only after the Steelers’ celebrations. The Třinec team reached the next cup after a 4:1 home win over Hradec Králové. In the final series, he broke the opponent with a ratio of 4:2.
The 27-year-old Voženielek, who was once unnecessary in Pardubice and before the current year arrived from České Budějovice, contributed with two goal passes. He also started the opponent’s first period with an emphatic hit against Oliver Okuliar.
Together with his partner Andrej Nestrašil, Voženílek was the best scorer in the playoffs with ten assists. He reached for the championship cup for the first time in his career, and his services could be of interest to national team coach Kari Jalonen.
How do you feel now a few minutes after the match?
Great feeling, I don’t have many thoughts right now. I’m enjoying it and I’m glad it turned out this way.
You only made it to the finals from the preliminary round, what was the journey like?
It was terribly challenging, which makes it all the more valuable. We had very good opponents, Litvínov, Sparta, Pardubice and Hradec. I really appreciate it, the opponents were great.
You played a significant role today. Either with a hit on Oliver Okuliar, or with two assists. Were you specially motivated?
I wanted to win today at all costs, it had been really long and my strength was waning. Yesterday I thought we would win 1-0 today. Unfortunately, that didn’t work out, but I’m glad that we then made it 2:1 and made it to the end.
Will you even have the energy to celebrate?
I will definitely have the strength to celebrate. I hope the boys will show me how to celebrate such a title. (smile)
You played 22 games in the playoffs, where did you get the strength?
There weren’t many of them, but you always have to find something in yourself and give it on the ice.
Did it motivate you that Třínec was generally not trusted much this year?
Is it true. Even before Litvínov, the lady at home told me what she read, and I roasted her in quotation marks. I said “you have no idea what magic is in this team”. I believed even before the playoffs that we could go very far. That team is pretty specific.
Is this the season of your life?
Certainly. I won the championship cup, which I have never done in my life. It’s the best season of my life.
What will be next?
I do not know. I hope another cup. (smile)
Do you believe that an invitation to the national team will come?
The guys on the team have dealt with it, but I really don’t know. What comes comes.
Would you still find the strength for the national team?
It’s all the more complicated because we’ve been here for a long time. The boys in the national team already had time to play, Kari could work with them. Whether I’m there or not, I’m going to wish them terribly. I had the opportunity to take a look there during the season and I liked how it works. I hope they will be successful.
Did your career go through your mind after the match?
Already during the finals… Patrik Miškář, Radek Pilař, I played with them as a youth player in Hradec or Litoměřice. We played phone games together in the room. I remembered that. I’m glad that the boys also made it up to the team and that they did well.
