Gaborik hopes to get gunning in Ostrava

Originally published on IHWC.NET in 2004

By Lucas Aykroyd

Almost any young hockey player would love to be described as a cross between Alexander Mogilny and Pavel Bure, and that’s how former Minnesota Wild forward Cliff Ronning spoke of Marian Gaborik during the 2002-03 NHL season. 2003-04, however, proved to be an entirely different story for the speedy, high-scoring Slovak winger. Gaborik held out in a contract dispute at the start of the season. When the 6-1, 193-pounder returned to the lineup, he’d lost some of the form that boosted him to 17 points in 18 playoff games last year during the Wild’s improbable run to the Western Conference finals. He ended up with just 18 goals and 40 points, virtually the same output as in his 2000-01 rookie campaign. With Minnesota out of post-season contention this year, Gaborik, 22, is eager to help Slovakia compete for its fourth medal since 2000. IHWC.NET’s Lucas Aykroyd caught up with him to ask some burning questions.

IHWC.NET: How do you explain your drop in production this year?

Marian Gaborik: It’s basically been tough for Minnesota to score goals and tough for me too. You’ve just got to keep working. I try to go in and shoot the puck a lot. I’ll have to bear down. The bounces haven’t been there like they were last year.

IHWC.NET: Are there other areas of your games where you’ve improved?

Gaborik: Well, we try to play two-way hockey with Minnesota. So I try to be good defensively, and I’ve started killing penalties this year. In those respects, maybe I’ve improved a bit at both ends of the ice.

IHWC.NET: Do you think there’ll be a lot of pressure from playing in front of the Slovak fans who cross the border to Ostrava?

Gaborik: Obviously, we’ve been successful the last few years at the championships, and that creates some pressure. But you just go out there with a group of good guys and try to show that we belong to the elite.

IHWC.NET: In the past, there was always talk about the “Big Six” hockey countries. Do you feel Slovakia is finally starting to get the respect it deserves?

Gaborik: I think so. We have great players all over the NHL and also in Europe. I think we should get the credit. At a tournament like that, it’s all about developing good chemistry fast. We’ve showed that we belong there.

IHWC.NET: How much of the credit belongs to Peter Stastny and the work he’s done as a manager?

Gaborik: He’s been helpful to Slovak hockey all along. Personally, I haven’t dealt with him that much, but I’m sure he’s going to continue helping.

IHWC.NET: Jan Lasak was a key part of your medal-winning teams in 2000, 2002, and 2003. Why do you think he wasn’t able to keep an NHL job this season?

Gaborik: It’s tough for goalies to establish themselves in this league. He’s been up and down. He’s a good goalie, I think, but there is a lot of competition. There are so many great goalies here. Obviously, getting some luck and the right bounces is also a very important thing. He’s still young, and I think he has a bright future ahead of him.

IHWC.NET: Your good friend Marcel Hossa has been trying to carve out a niche for himself with the Montreal organization.

Gaborik: There’s a lot of competition there as well. He’s young and he’s been up and down. When you’re out there, you’ve just got to work hard. He’s a great hockey player, and I’m sure he’s going to get his chance.

IHWC.NET: What was your reaction to seeing Lubomir Sekeras back in the NHL as a free agent signing with Dallas?

Gaborik: I’m very happy for him. He’s a great guy and a great player. We played together for years, and we got to know each other very well.

IHWC.NET: The 2004 IIHF World Championships will determine qualification for the 2006 Olympics. How much of an effect do you think that will have on the general willingness of NHL players to suit up in the Czech Republic?

Gaborik: Everything depends on how available guys are and how their playoff runs go. Also, it’s a question of health. If they’re available, I’m sure everybody would like to play in the Worlds and the World Cup.