Zdenek Kutlak: ''The NHL-players will be chosen for the olympics''

Ambri defender Zdenek Kutlak plays for Karlovy Vary at the Spengler Cup. In this interview, he talks about the tournament as a nice diversion from everyday life in the league, a possible return to Karlovy and his chances to participate in the Olympics.

Zdenek Kutlak, usually you come to Davos to play for the visiting team, Ambri-Piotta; now you play for Karlovy Vary at the Spengler Cup. What's the difference between a league and a Spengler Cup game?

The stadium is practically always sold out, which I don't think has ever been the case in a game I've played for Ambri. Furthermore, I play for a Czech team, where everything is a bit different.

During the NHL Lookout season 2004 you played for Karlovy Vary. What was it like to return to this team?

Of course it was great; some guys I know still play there. It's clear that a lot has changed in the meantime, but I'm very happy to be a part of this.

You've never played with most of your teammates. How difficult is it to blend into another team in such a short time?

It's not so easy; Karlovy Vary plays an entirely different system than Ambri. But, eventually, it's still ice hockey and that's why it's not such a big problem for me.

Your contract with Ambri is running out at the end of this season. Could you picture yourself playing for Karlovy Vary again?

I don't think about that at the moment. I wouldn't say I won't play for Karlovy Vary again, but I just don't think about that now.

Your team has lost three games and will not make it to the final. What went wrong?

We played really well against Team Canada and they were luckier in the end. Davos had two counterattacks against us, which broke our neck.

Was there too little time for you to recover after the intensive evening game against Team Canada?

Yes, our legs were probably a bit tired. The last few days have been harder for me than I would have imagined. On 23 December, I had a game with Ambri, and then several games one after the other - I'm a bit knackered.

One final question about the national team: How big is your chance to be part of the Czech team at the Olympics?

There's no chance at all!! The coach will certainly call up players that play in the NHL. That's got something to do with the fact that the Olympics will be held in Canada and that those guys are used to playing on smaller ice rinks.

Translated by Sabine Schweizer