Spacek brings savvy to Chicago blueline

Originally published on EuroReport.com in 2001

By Lucas Aykroyd

If Jaroslav Spacek can elevate his NHL game to the level he’s shown in international competition, the Chicago Blackhawks are in for a real treat this year. Spacek has won gold medals in IIHF tournaments three out of the last four years, and in 1997-98, he was honored as the top defenseman of the Swedish Elitserien with Farjestad. The 5-11, 206-pound native of Rokycany, Czech Republic finished with scoring totals of 7-19-26 after joining Chicago in a 6 November 2000 deal with Florida for Anders Eriksson. A strong skater and passer, Spacek should have ample opportunity to showcase his skills this year, since new Hawks coach Brian Sutter looks poised to give his top five D-men about 20 minutes each per game. EuroReport’s Lucas Aykroyd interviewed Spacek, 27, after the Hawks beat Vancouver 5-4 in their season-opening tilt at GM Place on 4 October.

EuroReport: Last year, you came to a team that had just four wins in its first 14 games. How important was it to get off to a winning start this season?

Jaroslav Spacek: It was really important. When I came last year, we were already ten points out of the playoffs. So tonight, this was a huge win for us. Everybody was ready. For four months, this game is all everybody has been thinking about. Things are looking up for us.

EuroReport: You’d spent your whole NHL career with Florida until last year. How long did it take for you to adjust to the reality that you’d been traded?

Spacek: I was a little disappointed and surprised when they traded me from Florida. I had lots of friends there, and I think we had a pretty good team. But you know, it didn’t stop life from going on. And at the time, I wasn’t playing too much. After a couple of games here, I learned how the team worked and we started to play much better. Alpo Suhonen gave me lots of chances to play on the power play and PK.

EuroReport: Tell me about the differences between Brian Sutter’s approach and Alpo’s.

Spacek: Alpo is more of a quiet guy. He didn’t talk too much and never yelled at players. But it’s different with Brian. I think sometimes we need it as a wake-up call, to play better and take better care of our game than we did last year.

EuroReport: What did you think of the moves to acquire Phil Housley and Jon Klemm?

Spacek: I think the changes they made were unbelievable. It’s made the team better this year. We’ll have a much better defense than we had before. Those guys have played ten or 18 seasons in the NHL, so it’s very good for our team.

EuroReport: How close is this team to contending for a playoff spot?

Spacek: Well, it’s the start of the season right now, but you know, this first win is big for us. This year, we’re starting on the road with a couple of tough games. But if we can bring some points home with us, we’ll be on the right road.

EuroReport: Where do you think your old teammates in Florida will finish?

Spacek: I talked to my buddy Robert Svehla down there, and he said the team looks much better than last year. The Bure brothers are there, and some of the other guys there will play better. I think the team will move up and be in the hunt for the playoffs.

EuroReport: What did it mean to you to be part of the Czech Republic’s third straight gold medal at the 2001 World Championships?

Spacek: You know, I’ve got two medals from there, and it’s very nice. Life is all about hockey now for people back home! Everybody’s looking forward to see what will happen at the Olympics.

EuroReport: Are you ready for the Olympics?

Spacek: I am ready, but you know, there are 37 guys named to the squad right now, and they’ll have to cut it down to 23 by December 22. So we’ll just have to see. I would love to be there, but only seven defensemen can play, so I’ll just have to stay healthy and play good.

EuroReport: To end this on a lighter note, I understand you’re an ABBA fan. What’s your favorite song?

Spacek: Hmm…”The Queen”?

EuroReport: “Dancing Queen”?

Spacek: Yeah, “Dancing Queen”! I started listening to them when I was in Sweden one year, and lots of guys in the locker room were listening to them. So I like it.