The Ice Hockey World Cup tournament always has its own atmosphere, but here in the Czech Republic it is even more special, writes Jussi Paasi.
Jussi Paasi
PRAGUE.
Prague’s picturesque and historic Old Town has an endless number of restaurants. What is the probability that the first place I accidentally wander into during the World Cup is a place owned by two Czech NHL legends?
I’m pretty bad at math and statistics, but I think the probability is vanishingly small.
But it just happened. However, a Finnish friend of mine had suggested before the World Cup tournament that you should go eat at that particular restaurant. Because of the good food and the owners.
I planned to look for a place at some point during the long journey, but I ended up at this culinary “exchange bench” right at the beginning of the Games.
At first I did not realize that I was in a place that I had later decided to look for in the hope of interviews. When I realized where I was, I looked straight ahead to see if I could see them.
On the first food visit, no main stars were found. So I was hoping to run into two local NHL legends who own Stridacka, a restaurant called “Vaihtopenkki”.
A couple of days later I tried again. Then it snapped.
On a sunny afternoon, the small restaurant was packed. The attention of almost all customers was drawn to the round table next to the door inside the restaurant. Two former high-class hockey stars were sitting next to it. There were enough people to chat and take selfies.
Martin Rucinsky and – Saku Koivu! Old playmates from Montreal.
The second owner of the restaurant, a Czech ex-hockey star Petr Nedved was not there.
Of course, I had to take advantage of the opportunity right away, even though I didn’t know what Rucinsky’s reaction would be to being approached by a Finnish journalist in the hope of an interview.
At the same time, I remembered that Koivu is known not only for his amazing hockey career, but also for the fact that he does not particularly willingly give interviews. Having reached out to Koivu by phone once, I have stated that it might be easier to catch the 6+1 numbers correctly in Saturday’s lottery.
I walked over to the men’s table. I first introduced myself to Koivu. After all, a few interviews with him have been done face-to-face over the years. Then I asked Rucinsky if at some point during the Games there would be a moment for an interview and to take a few pictures.
– Of course, was the immediate answer.
Rucinsky took my phone in my hand and dialed his own number.
I was somewhat confused. Can it be like this with a nearly 1,000 game NHL player? It was like meeting an old friend. I said I would call her and wished the two of them a nice evening.
I was left thinking about that short encounter and I realized that it actually tells everything essential about both the World Hockey Championship and the local hockey culture.
Everyone has a good time and everyone is in a good mood in these puddles. At the World Cup, fans from different countries are in perfect harmony with each other, without any slights. It could be used as a model for, for example, men’s football value competitions.
The World Cup tournament always has its own magic, but here in the Czech Republic it is even more special. The atmosphere everywhere is immediate, relaxed and open. The kind where even NHL stars, past and present, spend the evening on holiday for the competition tourists.
The Czech Republic is a real hockey country. The European cradle of ladle culture.
I couldn’t think of a better place for the WC tournament. The same has been repeated by many of the main stars of these games, the players. Members of the Canadian and USA teams cheering on NHL players have praised the host city.
That is one of the attraction factors that bring big-name players from North America to the Games. Of course, the fact that many Canadians and Yankees have a place to show off for the Olympics coming up in two years, where all the world’s best players have been participating for a long time, brings its own additional spice this time.
But still, both Canadian and US players know why it was worth coming here. Along with ice hockey, you can see and experience everything that you can’t enjoy during the long and hard NHL season.
Even if it’s to stop by the restaurant of former colleagues.
A day later I called Rucinsky. He remembered what we had agreed and welcomed me and the Photographer to his restaurant. We went to get to know the most culinary “exchange bench” in Prague. You should read more about it here.