Your questions - Tom's answers, part 13

A whole bunch of new questions has arrived here at thomasvanek26.com and here are all the answers.

Question: Who’s the best goalie in the NHL in your opinion and what’s the difference between a good goalie like Bernd Brückler and a top-goalie like Ryan Miller, Martin Brodeur or Henrik Lundquist?
Answer: I think the best goalie right now is Martin Brodeur, just if you look at his stats. But it’s really a tough choice, because all the goaltenders in the NHL are really good. There’s maybe a handful of goalies who are one step above the others. I think Bernd could really be up there if he’d get the chance to show his talent. He never really had that chance in the NHL.

Question: How do you prepare for a game and what’s going through your head during a game?
Answer: We have to be at the rink two hours before puck-drop. The first thing I do is tape my sticks and next there’s a 20 minute team-meeting. After that I ride the bike a bit to get warm, then we play a bit soccer or table tennis. After that we have to get dressed. During the games I talk a lot to my line-mates. After a shift we’re talking about what we could have done better and try to eliminate mistakes for the next shift.

Question: At which rink are the most Buffalo fans on the road?
Answer: Florida! Maybe because it’s cold during that time in Buffalo and a lot of fans like to make a trip to the warm south.

Question: Who’s your best buddy on the Sabres‘ team after the trade of Ales Kotalik? With whom do you share a room on road trips?
Answer: I get along well with everybody, but of course you hang out more with certain players. I was a bit sad when Ales was traded because he really was one of my best friends and we shared a room on road trips. Now I share a room with Andrej Sekera.

Question: As a German fan I wanted to know how you get along with Jochen Hecht? Especially in soccer there’s a great rivalry.
Answer: Ah, I like Jochen a lot. We talk a lot about sports in Germany and Austria – hockey, soccer, everything. That’s a good change to American sports once in a while.

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This was part 12

Question: Are you trying new moves in practice? Are we ever gonna see you do a spin-o-rama?
Answer: A spin-o-rama most certainly not. That’s something for smaller players. But of course, I’m always trying some new moves and when I perfect them I use those in a game.

 Question: Who’s your favorite to take the Cup this year?
Answer: I think Detroit has the best shot again. They’re defending their title and only got better over the summer with the addition of Hossa. From the East right now I’d have to say Boston.

Question: Can you give me some advice on how to better my skating skills?
Answer: When you get older it’s tough to get faster only with practicing on the ice. You have to do a lot in the gym. Everything that strenghtens your legs is good. Try things like rope-jumping for example.

Question: What’s your favorite memory of playing in Sioux Falls?
Answer: That was a great city and I still have friends there. Being a smaller city we were THE sports-team there. We always played in front of 4000 to 5000 people and that’s something every young player will always fondly remember.

Question: What kind of music is played in the locker-room?
Answer: All kinds of music, from HipHop to Rock n’ Roll. Every day a different iPod gets plugged in.

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This was part 11

Question: Who’s your best friend on the Austrian national squad?
Answer: Bernd Brückler. But I get along fine with all the guys, it’s just that I don’t see the rest that often.

Question: Isn’t it hard to be a public person like you? There were hundreds of fans who wanted to shake your hand when you were in Innsbruck and you let it happen without any complaints.
Answer: I don’t find it hard. It’s important for me to treat the fans correctly. Without them our sport wouldn’t be the same. Of course, it can be hard to satisfy everybody sometimes, but I’m doning my best.

Question: How would you rate the level of college hockey in the US?
Answer: I think the level is very high. The NCAA brought out a lot of very good players in the last few years.

Question: Do you play streethockey?
Answer: Actually I do, but just for fun. I don’t use it as a preparation for the next season. I’ve been playing streethockey since I was a kid.

Question: What’s the stiffness of your stick?
Answer: 100

Question: Are you aware that you are a role model for a lot of young players, especially in Austria?
Answer: Well, I’m aware of my success, but I’m not one who reads the newspapers just to find something about me. It’s good for kids to have somebody to look up to. I always admired Jaromir Jagr and it was unbelivably cool to play against him.

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This was part 10

Question: What do you usually do to prepare yourself before a game? Is there a certain ritual?
Answer: Not really, no. Usually I prepare two sticks for the game, then there are team-meetings and after that I play soccer with some of my teammates for a quarter of an hour. Some rope skipping and that’s that.

Question: Are there any sports besides hockey for you?
Answer: I play golf, some tennis and love to go fishing.

Question: What about Thomas Pöck on the Sabres roster?
Answer: He would be a good fit in my opinion, especially after losing Campbell. Tommy could be perfect in that role. All he needs is a fair chance. Sadly, I can’t help him, because the players don’t have any influence on the management. But if anybody would come up to me and ask about my opinion on Tommy I’d say exactly that.

Question: Did playing in the world championships help keep you sharp for next season?
Answer: I don’t think so. All I wanted was to help the team, and that worked out nicely.

Question: Are you planing to work with kids in the future?
Answer: I’d love to. I’m planing on relocating my father’s summer camps from the Czech Republic to Graz. Maybe we can put that into effect next summer.

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This was part 9

Question: Why do, for example, Jochen Hecht and Derek Roy get so much more ice-time than you?
Answer: Well, contrary to me those two guys also play on the penalty-kill. That makes a big difference.

Question: Are you in contact with the other Austrians in the NHL or the respective farm-teams?
Answer: I quite often call Thomas Pöck and have contact with Matthias Lange (college) and Bernd Brückler (Finland). Other than that... I haven’t met Michael Grabner yet, for example.

Question: Are you still in contact with Chris Drury and Daniel Briere?
Answer: There is some loose contact, but mostly before and after the games. We call each other from time to time just to see how the families are.

Question: What about the young Austrians playing in the minors, college and farm-teams in the US and Canada?
Answer: I try to follow the careers of Andi Nödl, Michael Grabner and so on as much as possible. I think each of these young Austrians has a good shot at making it to the NHL.

Question: What’s the best practiacal joke you played on another teammate or they played on you?
Answer: Nobody’s ever played a practiacal joke on me and neither have I. But the best I witnessed was when somebody stitched up Drew Stafford’s trousers. After practice he directly went to have lunch and couldn’t pay because he couldn’t get to his wallet. We still don’t know who did that...

Question: What do your teammates call you?
Answer: That’s a simple one: “Van”.

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This was part 8

Question: How does it feel to come into an arena where everybody screams your name?
Answer: Well, didn’t happen to me (laughs). To be serious: It’s always great to play in front of a sell-out-crowd. You’re always especially motivated.

Question: Will your son step into your foot-steps? What do you see for him in the future?
Answer: That’s completely up to him. Of course, I’ll introduce him to hockey, but he’ll also get to know other sports. We’ll see what’s the most fun for him.

Question: How often do you change your stick tape. Do you use white or black?
Answer: I always use black tape and usually I change it between every period.

Question: Do you go out with your teammates after a game?
Answer: Since the birth of Blake I’m mostly off for home after the games and practices. But from time to time we still have dinner together.

Question: Ar you naturally gifted playing in front of the net deflecting pucks? What about the referees’ tendencies to be more lenient this year on the new rules?
Answer: I really started playing in front of the net in the juniors, when I was 17, 18. My hand-eye-coordination was quite good, right from the beginning. The referees, well, they do tend to allow more cross-checks now, which obviously doesn’t make it easier for me now.

Question: What’s your favorite piece of memorabilia from your hockey career?

Answer: That’s an easy one: the ring for winning the college-championship, the puck I scored my first NHL-goal with, and the signed stick of Mario Lemieux.

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This was part 7

Question: Did you notice the two Austrian fans with the Austrian flag sitting near the players entrance at the AMP Winter Classic?
Answer: Sorry, I didn’t. There were such an awful lot of people there. But I appreciate it very much that some fans from home made the trip to Buffalo.

Question: Is it harder for an European to make it to the NHL? Do Europeans have to show more effort to make it?
Answer: Not really. The NHL is the best league in the world. It doesn’t matter where you come from as long as your effort and your skills are there.

Question: Can you imagine playing in the Austrian league? For which team would you like to play?
Answer: Not right now. I hope to have some more years in the NHL. But maybe at the end of my career. Yeah, I could imagine to play my last year in Austria. I haven’t given it much thought for which team, but probably for Graz or Zell/See.

Question: How often do you practice in the NHL?
Answer: Nearly every day. On game-days there’s also a short practice in the morning.

Question: How do you and your family like Buffalo?
Answer: We like it a lot! Buffalo may not be Manhattan or Chicago but it’s a great sportstown with the Sabres and the Bills. We live in a beautiful neighbourhood and I don’t mind the tough winters – I’m used to it from Minnesota.

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This was part 6

Question: Who is your favorite teammate?
Answer: I spend a lot of time with Ales Kotalik, as he’s also my roommate on road-games. Otherwise I get along perfectly well with all the other guys.

Question: Why has your game changend so much? During your college and AHL times you were a lot more aggressive. Now you’re mostly screening the goalie. Are those your instructions from Lindy Ruff or has it something to do with a certain kind of lack of confidence right now?
Answer: Well, your role on the team is different from coach to coach. In Rochester my role was different, I was skating more with the puck, for example. With the Sabres the puck is more with the defenders and two forwards try to get in front of the net. But I was always good on rebounds.

Question: Have you ever considered making public appearances like some of your teammates? Would you consider private visits?
Answer: I don’t do a lot of public appearances. But in March I’m at a car-store. Privat visits? I’ve never been asked that until now...

Question: Now that you are making a lot more money then last season, people are starting to complain that you aren’t worth that much. How do you deal with everyones criticism?
Answer: There’ll always be critics, that’s for sure and I knew that before. But I’m my own biggest critic. I know that I have to play better and put the puck in the net more often. I don’t care what the media says. Maybe I have to have this slump to battle through and come out stronger than before.

Question: Will you play for Austria at the upcoming Divison I world-championship in Innsbruck if the Sabres don’t make the playoffs?
Answer: Of course! If I stay healthy and the team needs me I’ll be glad to help out. First priority are of course the playoffs.

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This was part 5
Question: Is there any possibilty to watch the team-training? How can fans get your autograph?
Answer: Most of the morning skates on game-days are open to the public. Of course, fans may not get into our locker room. A lot of fans wait at the parking lot outside of HSBC arena and get their autographs there.

Question: Before you were drafted by the Sabres was there a team in your head that you would really love to play for?
Answer: Not really. I still enjoy everyday here. I always just wanted to play in the NHL. No matter for which team.

Question: It seems the Sabres have a very irregular schedule this year. Isn’t it hard to get intho a playing rhythm like this? Is it the same for all the teams or just a bad year for Buffalo?
Answer: At the end of the year everybody has the same problems. There are a lot of back to back games for us this year, then we’re off for four days in a row. Of course we’d like more ryhthm, but over time it’s even for everybody.

Question: Is there a goalie whom you couldn’t beat yet? Do you have a goalie you like to play against most?
Answer: Well, what I don’t like at all are goalies who catch with their right hand. The Islanders’ diPietro comes to mind, though I have some goals against him. There’s not really a goalie I like most, because they’re all so good. In the NHL only the best goalies play.

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This was part 4
Question: What’s got to happen that we may for once see you in a fight?
Answer: I don’t know, I’m no fighter. Maybe if one of my comrades gets hurt by an unfair attack and I’m on the ice. Yeah, I’ll certainly be right in the middle of the fight then.

Question: Who’s your favorite player?
Answer: That’s an easy one: Jaromir Jagr and Mario Lemieux!

Question: If you could put together your favorite line-mates: who would be your center and right wing?
Answer: Of course Lemieux and Jagr.

Question: How long have you been using „Warrior“-products and how comfortable are you with those products? Which helmet-brand do you wear?
Answer: I’ve been using “Warrior” since the start of last season and I’m very happy with this choice. I like the stick and the gloves just fit perfectly. The helmet and the rest of my gear is CCM/Reebok.

Question: When did you start skating?
Answer: That’s a question my parents could answer better. As long as I can think back, I’ve always been skating. I must have started right after having learned to walk.

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This was part 3
Question: Do you collect hockey cards?
Answer: Yes, I did when I was younger. I think I must have had at least three complete albums. But I quit collecting a few years ago.

Question: It seems as if you wear different gloves each game. Is that true? I noticed they are almost always “Warriors” this year, but they all seem to be different. What happens to your gloves when you are done with them?
Answer: Basically it’s always the same gloves. I change them every second month or so and “Warrior” changes the style from time to time. Once I’m done with the gloves I give them to our equipment manager. I really don’t know what happens with them from that time on.

Question: Do you miss your home country? Especially Zell/See where you used to play hockey when you were a kid.
Answer: Of course I miss Austria. That’s why I always come home for a few weeks in the summer. I really enjoy my holidays in Graz where my parents live. I haven’t been to Zell for quite a while now but I’m really planing to take a trip there in the future.

Question: Why did you choose the number 26?
Answer: Honestly, I wanted the number 20 when I started to play at college in Minnesota. But that number was already taken, so the Gophers gave me the next best thing – number 26. Obviously that was a good choice as I had quite some success there. After that I simply kept the number.

Question: Do you have any tips how to find a junior team in North America as a young Austrian?
Answer: There are try-outs every summer. Everybody can sign up for those on the internet. Of course, it’s easier if you have some contacts, but you can do it this way, too – you just have to believe and really want it.

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This was part 2
Question: Is there any goal you’re especially proud of?
Thomas: Absolutely! That would be my first NHL-goal against Carolina. I always wanted to play in the NHL and so that one will always hold a special place in my heart.

Question: You went to North America when you were only 14 and played in the NHL only a few years later. How did you do that?
Thomas: That’s right, I was very young. But I always knew that I had to leave Austria to get to the next level. I got my chance in Canada. My parents were very important in that respect. They always supported me and had a very positive attitude towards me leaving home.

Question: What’s the meaning of your tattoo?
Thomas: Well, the signs stand for the zodiac sign of the capricorn. I’m a capricorn, so that’s that. The rest is just a design I liked. I’ve got the tattoo now since 2003, I think.

Question: How much do you care for the fans criticism? Do you ever read online forums and the like?
Thomas: To be honest: I don’t read such forums. I concentrate on playing hockey and on my family when I’m at home.

Question: What’s your shoe-size?
Thomas:10.5 – 11.5, depending on the shoe.

Question: You’re using a CCM Vector skates. How happy are you with that? Are those skates specially manufactured for you?
Thomas: I wouldn’t know about especially manufactured, but I’ve benn using CCM skates for 10 years now and I’m very happy with them. They fit perfectly.

Question: Do you follow Austrian soccer? Especially now that the European championships are drawing nearer.
Thomas: Yes, I do, mostly over the internet. I also try to follow what’s going on in hockey, tennis, skiing and formula 1 back home. If we don’t make it to the finals this year I’m planing a trip to Austria to watch at least a few games live.

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This was part 1
Question: Getting on the plane, getting off the plane, every day another city – how do you cope with all that stress?
Thomas: That’s easier than when I was in the AHL. Back then we had to ride the bus for hours without end. Now we have our own plane. For example: After the game against Columbus we drove directly to the airport and got to Montreal at around one in the morning. We also get delicious food on the plane. I’m really quite happy and don’t feel stressed at all.

Question: Do you still have contact with your old buddies from Zell/See and Graz?
Thomas: Mostly when I’m with the national squad. I do have a bit of contact with Patrick Machreich vom Zell and Harry and Mathias Lange from Graz. From time to time I also hear from Florian Iberer.

Question: Did your parents raise you bilingual? Are you able to talk Czech to your czeck teammates?
Thomas: Of course! With Spacek, Kotalik et al I often talk Czech, though English is the “official” language in the locker room. I’m very glad and grateful that my parents raised me bilingual.

Your question for Thomas
Do you have any questions for Thomas? In the menu-bar abouve you’ll find the tab “Dear Thomas”. Just go there and fill in the mail-form. Together with Thomas we’ll choose the most interesting questions and publish his answers in regular intervals on the website. Just keep looking back if your question is not published this time, as this is not a one-time-campaign. Maybe yours will be answered the next time.

Attention: Please do not expect Thomas to answer personally per e-mail or answer each and every question.