I Believe Ostrava Will Show Us Its Beauty

Dan, you are in the extended squad for the home World Championship in Ostrava. What was your first reaction to the invitation to the February national team camp?

My first reaction was definitely positive, although not entirely expected. After the fall season, I wasn’t fully satisfied with my performances, so I wasn’t really counting on a nomination. That makes me even happier, and I’m glad for the opportunity to show what I’m capable of.

How big a role does the fact that the championship will take place in front of a home crowd play in your motivation?

In this case, I might differ from most answers, but I have two different perspectives on it. On one hand, I regret that, partly due to various measures, the farthest I’ve played for the national team was twice in Žilina. On the other hand, it’s definitely a great opportunity, because we Czechs know how to organize sporting events, and I believe Ostrava will show us its beauty.

What do you think the coaches will be watching most closely in defensemen at the camp, and in what areas do you most want to stand out from the competition?

I think they’ll be watching exactly what they want to watch. By that I mean involvement and fitting into the game system, creativity, and at least healthy self-confidence. We could see it perfectly with the hockey U20 team, where the defensemen showed us what it should probably look like. Simply clearing the puck off the boards is no longer really in style.

The Competition Is Really Strong

How do you personally perceive the competition among the national team’s defensemen?

They are all mainstays of the defensive units of the best Extraliga teams, so the competition is really strong. However, it’s very good that we can motivate each other to deliver better performances.

How much can your experience with the gold-winning U23 national team in Hradec Králové help you in the fight for a spot at the home World Championship in Ostrava, and in what way did this experience push you most toward the senior category?

It’s a great experience. Unfortunately, our age group is somewhat affected and limited in terms of confrontation, especially with overseas teams. Those are the games we play the sport for. It’s great when the Canadians come and bring the real atmosphere that, during a match or tournament, can even turn into rivalry. Simply a different mentality. As for the national team, it may have shown a certain level of experience that I’ve gathered over the years at the senior club level.

What are you currently working on the most to meet the national team’s demands? Do you add individual training sessions outside the club program with the national team in mind?

Outside of club training sessions, I train individually more or less all year round, so not in any special way. Specifically now in winter, it combines nicely with the club program, and I add one to two training sessions per week. The only thing that might be intensified is that I try to pay more attention to recovery and injury prevention.

I Would Rather Point to the Number of Hostivař Players in the National Team

Let’s move on to your club. HBC Hostivař has had an exceptionally successful year. How much did these successes boost your confidence toward the national team?

It certainly helped my confidence as such. However, you don’t get a national team invitation just because your team won trophies. I would rather point to the number of Hostivař players in the national team. That should be the reflection of whether it was a successful year or not.

In your opinion, what made Hostivař more successful than the rest of the Extraliga competition last season?

It’s a lot of things. The locker room was great, not to mention the playing quality. It was also a kind of payback for the previous final, which was quite painful.

After this year’s fall part of the season, there was a change on the coaching bench. How did the locker room accept it?

The locker room accepted it as it is. We were informed about everything, and everyone accepted the change. With the new coaching staff, we came together with the same goal, which is to defend the title.

Jiří Vaniš, your father, joined the coaching staff as an assistant coach. What does this change mean for you from a player’s perspective?

From a player’s perspective, probably only that someone else will be yelling at us (laughs). We might also have to pay more attention to our lifestyle. The Hostivař guys definitely know. As a son, probably no major change will happen –⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ I’ve been used to being coached since my very first steps.