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Fredrik Oduya will not play in Znojmo

BaM, 30.7.2005

Z n o j m o - People in Znojmo have already known for quite a long time that the club takes concern in two Swedish defensemen. The first of them, Jonas Lennartsson, had started to practise with the team before the holiday that all the players went for after the „dry“ preparation. The second one, Fredrik Oduya, had joined the team when the practice on the ice began. This well-made hockey-player came to Southern Moravia only for a trial, and the coaches should decide during August, wheter he would sign the contract with the Eagles. But they have already informed that Oduya will not play in Znojmo, which was confirmed also by the President of the club Jaroslav Vlasák and the player himself. Anyhow, he revealed a few interesting things about himself.

Česká verze

The management of Znojmo Eagles have chosen three players from Scandinavia before the beginning of the new season (including you), which is very unusual for the club. Moreover, you may be the first player in the league with African blood. Can you tell me something about your origin?
My father is from Kenya and he moved to Sweden. I was born in Sweden.

Where did you start your hockey career and at what age?
In Stockholm when I was seven.

Can you name all the teams, leagues, and countries you had been playing in during the foregoing seasons?
I started playing in Sweden till I was sixteen and then I moved over to Canada. I played Junior B, one year after that I went to Junior A, and I remained there for three years with two teams. Then I played IHL with Kansas City, AHL in Kentucky for two years, and then in Orlando and Saint John.

Then you got injured and returned back to Sweden. Can you describe the circumstances?
I had back problems. Then I had knee surgery, which also helped my back.

What had you been doing during those four years without hockey?
I’ve been going to school. First I went to high school, and then I went to university for a year.

Your younger brother Johnny (born in 1981) also plays ice hockey. Is he still a player of Djurgården?
He played there last year, but he’s not gonna play there next year. He doesn’t know yet where he’s gonna play, but I think it could be somewhere in Canada or the States.

Was it intention of your parents to have two ice-hockey players in the house?
No, I don’t think you can plan something like that. Hockey is number two sport in Sweden after soccer, so everybody tries it all pretty much.

Do your parents or anyone else of your family do any sport?
No, I don’t think so. Well, my sister did some gymnastics.

According to your personal statistics you are quite a record breaker in the area of penalty minutes. Do you often seek fights?
The fights just happen, I don’t seek them. They just happen sometimes, it’s part of the game. Sometimes you have to fight somebody.

Is it true that you have also tried to play left wing?
I played left wing for one year.

Have you ever get to the junior national team of Sweden?
No, I have not played for junior teams.

What is your greatest hockey success so far?
Well, I think I had a good first year pro in Kansas. I played pretty well there, that was a good year. And I think my second last year, when I was most of the season in Orlando, was a good year, too.

What are your wishes for the future?
Well, I don’t really know, what’s gonna happen.

Why did you decide to leave Sweden and try your luck here in the Czech Republic?
I goaled for the trial, because you don’t get a chance to play in a league like this too often.

How was your trial transfer to Znojmo realized?
I don’t know about those things my agent handled.

You said you will not be playing here in the season. Does it mean that you will play here in the pre-season and then leave?
Actually, I’m not gonna play here in the pre-season, I will just practice here.

Have you already met all the boys from Znojmo team? With whom do you get along best? I guess Jonas Lennartsson…
Yes, he is fellow Swede. I also talk to Radim Bičánek, because he speaks English – he’s been over in Canada.

What do you know about the Czech Republic, Czech ice hockey?
I know there are probably the most skilled players in the world, they have fast game, and they play good defence, they capitalize on the other teams with turnovers and fast breaks – that’s all they play.

Where do you live here in Znojmo?
I’m staying at the Hotel “N”.

What do you do in your free time? What are your hobbies?
Well, last year I went to university and played hockey, so I didn’t have much free time.

Have you got a girlfriend? What’s her name? Is she here with you?
Yes, I do. Her name is Anna and she’s here.

Here you can find Fredrik Oduya’s profile (in Czech).