Juraj Slafkovsky is 17 years old, and he was voted the 2022 men's Olympic hockey MVP. He joined Jeff and Elliotte to talk about his Olympic journey, winning bronze for Slovakia, finding his scoring touch, his favourite team/player, and if he takes any stock in NHL Draft rankings.
He’s 17 years old, scored 7 goals at the Winter Games, and was voted the 2022 men's Olympic hockey MVP. Juraj Slafkovsky is a forward for TPS of the Finnish Liiga and is expected to be a top pick in the 2022 NHL Draft. He joined Jeff and Elliotte to talk about his Olympic journey, winning bronze with the Slovakian national team, building confidence throughout the tournament, his favourite moment from the Olympics, messages he received following their medal performance, players he looked up to growing up, looking ahead to the NHL Draft, and he tells us which team he cheers for at the moment.
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This podcast is produced and mixed by Amil Delic, and hosted by Jeff Marek and Elliotte Friedman.
Audio Credits: CBC
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Marek [00:00:00] Mea mea mea mea meow~.
[00:00:00] [SFX puck hitting post.]
Jeff Marek [00:00:03] Welcome to a special edition of 32 Thoughts the Podcast presented by the all-new GMC AT84 Lineup. Elliotte today our conversation with Juraj Slafkovsky, future NHLer, right now NHL prospect and someone who, you know playing for Slovakia was front and centre at the Olympics, the country picking up a bronze medal, that puts smiles on everyone's face. Seven goals in Beijing, top goalscorer, voted one of the top three forwards in the tournament, he is the MVP. Your thoughts on Slafkovsky?
Elliotte Friedman [00:00:33] I don't know as much about these prospects as you do generally, Jeff, but how could you not be impressed with what he did overseas, how good he looked, how calm he looked, and it was something where you could see he gained confidence. In the interview he talks about, he didn't have a lot of expectations for what he was going to do there, but the moment he really got going, you could see it just took off.
Jeff Marek [00:00:58] Yeah.
Elliotte Friedman [00:00:59] He looked fantastic, and you know that there were teams looking at this, just drooling at the idea that he could be with them next year.
Jeff Marek [00:01:08] You know, a lot of things you look for in prospects, too, you look for how they play with their club teams, you look at how they play, you know, with their peer group as well, and then you always have to have a look at how they play when it seems as if they're in a situation where, uh-oh they might be punching above their weight here. But I don't know that at any point in that tournament watching him, you said, you know what? He can't hang here or he's punching above his weight, he really needs to be down a level like to your point, he really excelled, and that must have made his head coach, Craig Ramsey, really happy, and it certainly made everybody back home in Slovakia thrilled. And I just hope that we're seeing the beginning of the rise of Slovakia as a hockey power and the rise of the Slovak hockey player. I've talked to you about Marian Hossa and how much I, and I think you feel the same way about Hossa, I don't know that I've ever seen a player receive a pass better than Marian Hossa. Peter Stastny is one of my favourite players of all time, you've talked so much about how much you love Zdeno Chara, I just really hope that he's part of a new wave of athletes from Slovakia that lead the charge in the NHL. I'm just crossing my fingers Friedge.
Elliotte Friedman [00:02:18] Well, the thing that I like as a hockey fan Jeff is, I want hockey to grow. I want hockey to be strong. I want hockey to be as exposed to as many people as it possibly can be exposed to. And when I look at a player like him, I see a guy who can bring in a next wave of Slovak hockey talent. I think you're the first one who mentioned it in the interview about how there was fear and concern about the future of Slovakian hockey.
Jeff Marek [00:02:47] Big time.
Elliotte Friedman [00:02:48] And maybe he's part of a new wave that brings it back. So I like that. I really love that. I mean, I think we all want NHLers to be at the Olympics because the best on the best right? But what happened in Germany in 2018 was good for hockey. What happened with Slovakia this year, and Finland.
Jeff Marek [00:03:08] Yeah!
Elliotte Friedman [00:03:09] Is good for hockey. And that doesn't happen if the best players are there. It's the same old teams, right? So the quality of the tournament maybe wasn't as good, but the result was helpful. I'm trying to be as positive as I can, and the most positive way I can be is say, that's a result that Slovakia needed, and that's good for the sport.
Jeff Marek [00:03:30] Let's get right to the interview Friedge. Juraj Slafkovsky. Slovakian bronze medallist. Future NHLer. On 32 Thoughts the Podcast.
[00:03:38] [Intro music.]
Jeff Marek [00:03:49] Elliotte, he is a Olympic star. He is a prospect star and, as we'll get into as well, he is a social media star, more on that in a couple of moments, Juraj, how are you today? Thanks so much for joining us and congratulations on a wonderful achievement in Beijing. How are you today?
Juraj Slafkovsky [00:04:08] Thank you very much for inviting and yeah, I'm feeling good. Finally, after all, celebrations and everything, back to training to play.
Jeff Marek [00:04:17] What was it like coming back? I mean, we saw all the videos and we're following along on social media, we all fell in love with Miro Satan's social media. What was it like when you got back home?
Juraj Slafkovsky [00:04:29] Oh, it was amazing. I mean, people were in front of hotel and on the streets, and even they came to the airport to Vienna because like, we didn't fly to Slovakia, back to Austria. So they were already there and they were cheering and it was just very nice and I enjoyed a lot.
Jeff Marek [00:04:49] Who did you get texts from? I'm sure you must have had texts or phone calls or social media notes from some pretty famous people, who got in touch with you?
Jeff Marek [00:04:59] So.
Juraj Slafkovsky [00:05:01] So like Marianne Garborik, Marian Hossa. Yeah and some Slovak singers and the rappers and all of these guys.
Elliotte Friedman [00:05:13] So on this list of people who would be the coolest person for you when you looked at your phone and said, holy cow, I can't believe I just got a text from this person. Who was it?
Juraj Slafkovsky [00:05:25] Of course there were like big names. But I would say, like, well, one woman she's doing like news at seven on a TV and she text me that, congrats and thank you. I was like, pretty surprised when I saw it.
Jeff Marek [00:05:43] And what's her name?
Juraj Slafkovsky [00:05:48] [Vladica Pushkarova], but you won't know that.
Jeff Marek [00:05:50] Hey listen, if it's a big deal for you, it's a big deal. How was the Olympic experience for you?
Elliotte Friedman [00:05:56] Yeah.
Jeff Marek [00:05:56] Because listen, anyone who follows prospects and the draft knows your name and has followed you for a while. But this was the big international stage for you. Casual hockey fans from all over the world now know your name, now know what you're all about. What was the experience like for you? Take us through the tournament.
Juraj Slafkovsky [00:06:15] Oh so, I mean, first, when we got there, I got, like I was in a bit different role. I was playing like fourth line a little bit more of defending. But then I somehow managed to score a couple goals in first game, and then I gained my confidence and everything so, like I would say my confidence was growing through the whole Olympics, and it's just unbelievable I, I didn't know that this can happen when you are I was 17, so it's even nicer.
Elliotte Friedman [00:06:48] What did you, like what did you expect going in your age or, what would you have been happy with before the tournament started?
Juraj Slafkovsky [00:06:56] Of course, like, as a team, we wanted to go like step by step. Like first two games weren't that good. So then we wanted to just win as many games as we can and then I think quarterfinals was our first goal to get in there. I think that that was our first goal, that two quarter finals and for me personal, I would say, like I maybe score once, get some assistance. That I would be okay with that but then this happened.
Elliotte Friedman [00:07:28] When did you first start to feel, you know what, I feel really good here. I think I can really have a great tournament. When did that first start getting into your head?
Juraj Slafkovsky [00:07:38] In the second game when I scored like, 50 seconds to go, I scored the goal. Just like I touched the puck and then shoot it, and I was like, okay, maybe now when I shoot from wherever I want, maybe it can go in so then I was like, okay, I will try that. And I will try to score as many I can.
Jeff Marek [00:07:58] Seven goals is impressive, but also, you know, top goalscorer, you know, also getting voted one of the top three forwards at the Olympics as well. Like there's a, like there's a, there's a team achievement and the medal that you'll have forever is a huge team achievement and, you know, many people are looking at this and saying this is the rebirth of Slovakian hockey. But some individual, you know, achievements as well. I know you might wanna say, oh it's all about the team, it's all about the team. But as one of the top forwards as voted in the tournament, seven goals as well top goalscorer, like of all the individual things, what do you look at and maybe say either I'm surprised they did that or I'm really proud that I did that. What stands out from an individual point of view for you?
Juraj Slafkovsky [00:08:39] No I was very surprised when, because actually I was watching the hockey and final game and after a game, they call my name as the, the MVP so I was like, wow.
Jeff Marek [00:08:49] Yeah.
Juraj Slafkovsky [00:08:51] I didn't expect that happening. Like, when we look on individual achievement, I think that's the biggest thing for me. Like, to be the MVP of the tournament.
Elliotte Friedman [00:09:04] The shootout against the Americans. What's it like to be in that moment? What are you thinking? What are your teammates thinking as all of that is going on?
Juraj Slafkovsky [00:09:14] I think it is just like all or nothing. You either win or go home so like, there I think there is nothing to lose at this moment and, like, we had the great goalie, so we knew that we can really do something on that shootout, and Peter just like, scored that goal and.
Recording [00:09:32] [Play-by-play of Peter Cehlarik's shootout goal against Team USA.]
Juraj Slafkovsky [00:09:52] Our goalie managed to save and, that was just also like one of the greatest moments.
Recording [00:09:57] [Play-by-play of Patrik Rybar's save on Andy Miele, sending Slovakia to the semifinals.]
Elliotte Friedman [00:10:17] There's, there was a story that you told Cehlarik that he was going to score. Is that true?
Juraj Slafkovsky [00:10:23] Before he went on the ice, I like grabbed him around the neck and I told him, now you are going to score I believe in you. And then he scored so I was, I was very happy.
Elliotte Friedman [00:10:33] Now did you really believe he was gonna score or were you just telling him he was gonna score?
Juraj Slafkovsky [00:10:38] Yeah, I really believe because at the warmups he was telling me I go back and and forehand somewhere around the blocker and he told me that he's going to do the same so I was like, yeah, you are scoring with that one.
Elliotte Friedman [00:10:51] So he copied your moves. Why you was what happens?
Juraj Slafkovsky [00:10:55] No no no, no no. He did that already at the warmup. Yeah.
Elliotte Friedman [00:10:59] Okay. Yeah okay, okay. Okay, I thought maybe he saw you do it.
Juraj Slafkovsky [00:11:04] No.
Elliotte Friedman [00:11:04] And he said, I'm gonna steal that one.
Juraj Slafkovsky [00:11:06] I went after him and I didn't score. So, yeah. On a warmup so.
Elliotte Friedman [00:11:14] You talked about the celebration in the parade with the, with the open bus, like with your teammates or with the staff or the trainers or just the Slovakian hockey group. What was the most special moment about the Olympics?
Juraj Slafkovsky [00:11:29] Most special moment for me was probably in that game in the--against USA, when we scored like 50 seconds to go. I would say that was the best I was celebrating like, wow, that was the, like the best moment for mem away from the medal and everything, that one, that celebration on the ice and on the bench.
Recording [00:11:54] [Play-by-play of Slovakia scoring on U.S.A. with 43.7 seconds left in the game.]
Elliotte Friedman [00:12:21] See, the thing that Jeff talked about before was how Slovak hockey needed this. And Juraj, you're young. You're 17 years old, you, this is an incredible thing for you. I'm wondering about what you saw from the veterans, the older players who've been around the last few years as Slovakia wasn't doing as well, what this meant for them and how they celebrated it and what you saw from them.
Juraj Slafkovsky [00:12:46] Oh I was actually very surprised, actually our captain might agree with. I thought, like, he's not going to celebrate like that much, but I think he was the first one who jumped on the ice and started throwing his gloves to the air and everything so, I was very surprised about the older guys how like they were celebrating because I felt like when you get older, it's like, you celebrate but not that much but I was also surprised and happy that they are also like enjoying the moment that much.
Jeff Marek [00:13:17] Everybody fell in love with Miroslav Satan and his, his social media, and we followed all the great videos, and there's that one, I'm sure you've seen it that one video after you guys win and it's at the, at the rink with a bunch of kids at practise and they're all gathered around looking at this tiny phone to watch you guys and you win and the kids go absolutely berserk. That has a huge effect on your country, that has a huge effect on hockey in your country. I'm sure you've seen it. What did you think of that one Miro Satan video, which went all over the world and we all loved it?
Juraj Slafkovsky [00:13:56] Yeah like, you said before, like Slovakia needed this one. It's also good for young guys like which are thinking that maybe I should go play hockey, then they think of that like they can celebrate like this and they can achieve something so I think it will help Slovakia to, to get some more kids to play hockey. And that's, I think, important thing when we want to have successful national team.
Jeff Marek [00:14:22] I think it's great like I can recall, one of my earliest hockey memories was the Canada Cup 1976, this is from about a million years before you were born. And I remember my dad, my dad, telling me about Peter Stastny because I was all excited about Team Canada was gonna have this great team is going to be awesome. He said, wait till you see Peter Stastny. And then, you know, the era that I was a kid and watching hockey, you know, the Stastny brothers were outstanding. Peter Stastny's still one of the, for my money, one of the best hockey players I've ever seen. Who were some of the, you know, maybe you already mentioned it, Marian Hossa or Marian Gaborik, who are some of the Slovak players that you looked up to? The Stastnys are well before your time, but who is your generation of favourite Slovak players?
Juraj Slafkovsky [00:15:07] Of course like when I was starting, there was Marian Hossa and Marian Gaborik and others and like, Pavol Demitra?
Jeff Marek [00:15:15] Yeah.
Elliotte Friedman [00:15:15] Mhm.
Juraj Slafkovsky [00:15:16] Like I really liked to watch Marin Hossa when I was young, I think he was very good right wing, I tried to copy his game all the time on the trainings and everything, so I think he was the guy I looked up to.
Elliotte Friedman [00:15:30] Like you said you got a text from Hossa. Have you met any of these guys?
Juraj Slafkovsky [00:15:33] Like I met them when I was younger, but like, they didn't know about me so but these days I didn't meet any of them.
Elliotte Friedman [00:15:40] Were you a Chara, are you a Chara fan at all?
Juraj Slafkovsky [00:15:42] Yeah, of course. Just a great Slovak player. Yeah but it's hard to meet him. He's still out there and playing in NHL so.
Jeff Marek [00:15:52] He's gonna play forever, you'll play against him one day, you'll play against him one day, he's gonna play forever.
Elliotte Friedman [00:15:56] Yeah, you'll play against him one day. Out of curiosity, where do you keep your medal?
Juraj Slafkovsky [00:16:02] Actually it's in, in my home back in Slovakia and we got like, little box for that and I, I think it's right next to my TV so always, when I look that way, I can see the medal also.
Elliotte Friedman [00:16:16] What did your parents say to you after it was all over?
Juraj Slafkovsky [00:16:19] They were also happy, but then they also were like, do you just need to still keep working and stay on the ground? Just like, before this medal can change me, and that's what, they were like repeating to me.
Elliotte Friedman [00:16:33] Don't get a big head, right? Like, don't get a big head. That's what they were saying?
Juraj Slafkovsky [00:16:37] Yeah.
Elliotte Friedman [00:16:39] Parents. When you got back to Finland, what did your teammates say to you? What did [unclear] say to you?
Juraj Slafkovsky [00:16:46] Yeah, they were like laughing so hard because they didn't believe that I can win any medal. And, yeah. Like I text one like that before our first game with my teammate and I told him that we had a little bet if I score, and he was like, no, you are not going to score and things like that. And then I scored against Finland so, yeah we were laughing on that and together with all the locker room and also like coaches congrats me and all that things.
Elliotte Friedman [00:17:19] I hope you cashed in big, Juraj. I hope you cashed in big.
Juraj Slafkovsky [00:17:22] Yes.
Jeff Marek [00:17:26] You know, it really does feel right now like this is... and maybe rebirth is too strong, but it feels like there's a real new wave of high end Slovak hockey players. You're gonna be a really high first round pick. Simon Nemec is gonna be a first round pick. Dalibor Dvorsky next year is gonna be a high pick like, do you get that sense right now that this is, like we're about to see, fingers crossed, we're gonna see the rise of Slovak hockey once again?
Juraj Slafkovsky [00:17:56] I really hope that is like that, rebirth, but it's hard to say because it has to be like every year and not just like now, like it's two years, I hope there is also like younger players that, that will be like drafted high or, or even drafted, and that we get more and more players on ice of the scouts and everyone in America because that would be like, right for Slovak hockey to, to have like some more medals or more success.
Elliotte Friedman [00:18:25] I just wanted to ask you about this year because as Jeff mentioned, you're gonna be a very high draft pick. What's this year been like for you in terms of attention Juraj like, I think a lot of hockey fans who are really into the draft, they knew who you were, but now even more fans who are just generally into hockey, you know, just here and there, NHL, they really know who you are now. You know, what's this year been like in terms of getting ready for the draft and all of the attention and everything that comes with it?
Juraj Slafkovsky [00:18:58] I would say like the start wasn't the best for me. I didn't manage to score that many or create some points, but I would say I was working still hard and just hoping that one day when it will all break and I will score some and I will play my very best game and I think like it happened at the Olympics and I hope I will continue also in the league until the rest of the season I will go just up.
Elliotte Friedman [00:19:27] That's a tough league, man. You're playing against men. Like that is a tough, tough league. How have you found it?
Juraj Slafkovsky [00:19:34] Yeah. It's tough and even we are defending really hard and it's hard to like, create something. But I have choose this way three years ago and I'm still here, and good that I like, play against the men's. I just hope the results will come and that they are better and better.
Jeff Marek [00:19:56] You know, you have 127,000 Instagram followers right now. You put up a lot of hockey stuff, a lot of workout stuff. That's the obvious thing. How important is that to you, keeping a big social media presence because listen, I think it's a great thing, like once upon a time in hockey that would be considered a Distraction. Don't do that, just focus on hockey. The new generation of hockey players says, yeah, that's ridiculous. I'm gonna have my own brand on social media. I'm gonna be myself on social media. I'm gonna control what my, you know, image and likeness and how I behave, and I'm gonna, I'm gonna control a lot more things about myself through social media. What does things like Instagram mean to you? How important is it?
Juraj Slafkovsky [00:20:39] I don't think that's like the important thing in the life, but of course, it's like, maybe helpful, like to show and like that people will know me a little bit better. But, it's not that important like, I would live normal life also without the Instagram and all the other things but it's just good that I can share and as you can see, I don't share that many things and most of the things are just hockey or some workout and--.
Jeff Marek [00:21:06] Yeah.
Juraj Slafkovsky [00:21:07] But maybe in future I will, I will share some sponsorships or something but of course, it can also help me a little bit in everything but, like I said it's not the most important thing in the life, and it's just something that.
Jeff Marek [00:21:21] Sure.
Juraj Slafkovsky [00:21:22] Just nice and I would live without it normally.
Jeff Marek [00:21:25] Who do you like to follow on Instagram?
Juraj Slafkovsky [00:21:28] Who I follow?
Jeff Marek [00:21:28] Yeah, who do you like?
Juraj Slafkovsky [00:21:30] I like Auston Matthews, like, he is, everything his style off the ice and on the ice and what he's posting and everything. But yeah, of course like, lot of NHL teams, NHL players, and then just my friends and like nothing special.
Elliotte Friedman [00:21:50] So who's your favourite NHL team?
Juraj Slafkovsky [00:21:52] Yeah, it's now it's a Toronto Maple Leafs.
Elliotte Friedman [00:21:57] So I don't know if they're going to be able to pick high enough to get Juraj.
Jeff Marek [00:22:00] No.
Elliotte Friedman [00:22:00] You know, that's that's the only problem. I don't think they're gonna be able to do that. So you said now it's the Maple Leafs. Who was it before and why did you switch?
Juraj Slafkovsky [00:22:10] Before it was Chicago Blackhawks when Marian Hossa, Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews, all these guys, but then when Auston Matthews came to the NHL, I really liked him and then I made the little switch to Toronto, to Canada.
Elliotte Friedman [00:22:26] Did you, did that happen, did you watch Matthews when you played in Switzerland or was it when he got to the Leafs?
Juraj Slafkovsky [00:22:33] I watched him a little bit when he was in a Swiss league like because I heard that he's like hoping maybe he's going first overall and everything. So I watched him a little bit before. But of course, when he came to NHL, then I followed him more and more.
Elliotte Friedman [00:22:46] Okay, so I got a couple more for you. First of all, I understand you have a sister who's a swimmer. Do you say to your sister, I have one Olympic medal, now it's your time to catch up to me?
Juraj Slafkovsky [00:22:59] No, she tells me that. She always grabs the medal and says, oh yeah, I'm gonna get one also, just wait. And I think it's, I think it's like, good motivation for her, and that's important thing.
Elliotte Friedman [00:23:13] What's her name?
Juraj Slafkovsky [00:23:14] Lucia.
Elliotte Friedman [00:23:16] Lucia. Okay, so we'll keep an eye on Lucia's future Olympic medal. The second thing I heard is, I heard your house is a little bit of a zoo, that you have two dogs and two cats.
Juraj Slafkovsky [00:23:27] Yeah.
Elliotte Friedman [00:23:27] Are they yours or the family's?
Juraj Slafkovsky [00:23:30] No, my mother likes to just come home and bring some cats and then come home and two weeks and bring another cat. So. Yeah, so. It's a little zoo. But I I like all the dogs and cats we have. But I think it's enough for now.
Elliotte Friedman [00:23:51] Now Jeff is a bit, is a dog guy, Jeff love dogs. What kinds of dogs do you have?
Jeff Marek [00:23:56] Yeah, big dog guy here.
Juraj Slafkovsky [00:23:57] I don't really know in English, but one is really small one like, we got him from the street, so it's something together, I don't know.
Jeff Marek [00:24:07] Okay.
Juraj Slafkovsky [00:24:07] Other one is the reach back. Maybe you know.
Jeff Marek [00:24:10] Oh yeah.
Juraj Slafkovsky [00:24:12] He's on a back.
Elliotte Friedman [00:24:13] Are you in charge of any of them? Like do you have to take care of any of them or does your mom do all that?
Juraj Slafkovsky [00:24:19] Luckily I don't have to. Of course, sometimes I go for a walk with them or something but, mom cans or dad.
Elliotte Friedman [00:24:28] You mentioned you love Hossa and you love Matthews. I also heard you love LeBron James, like you're a big LeBron James guy. What is it about him that you like?
Juraj Slafkovsky [00:24:37] I like Lakers and like he's the big star in the Lakers and, I just like him myself as a player and I hope that this year NBA is going back to Lakers.
Elliotte Friedman [00:24:49] I don't know they're really struggling right now Juraj, it doesn't look good.
Juraj Slafkovsky [00:24:51] Yeah I know, too many good players in one place.
Elliotte Friedman [00:24:57] And just a couple more for you. First of all, have you heard at all this year, like have you paid attention to the draft rankings at all this year, do you ever look at rankings and say, oh this person has been ranked here, this person has me ranked there or, I think this team is really interested in me?
Juraj Slafkovsky [00:25:15] Like of course I look on the rankings and everything, but I don't take it like that because I, in the past I saw like many rankings and there was many guys who are like, ranked not so high and they end up pretty high and, among the clubs, I don't think so yet. I haven't been in touch with so many teams. I think it's like coming by the end of the season. At the end, I think it's just the lottery, so whoever can pick me.
Jeff Marek [00:25:45] Do any of your teammates ever show you the rankings, you'll show up to the rank in the morning and it's like, hey, check it out, this guy has you number three, hey, look at this, this guy's got you number two. Any of your teammates ever do that?
Juraj Slafkovsky [00:25:56] Yeah one, one of my teammates is from Canada and, yeah, he told me about the Craig Buttons ranking once in a morning.
Juraj Slafkovsky [00:26:06] Yeah.
Elliotte Friedman [00:26:08] Uh oh, I'm gonna call Craig and I'm gonna say he's on your bleep list. I'm gonna say that to him. Is that wrote a Rodewald or Descheneau who did that?
Juraj Slafkovsky [00:26:18] No, it's Steenbergen.
Elliotte Friedman [00:26:20] Tyler Steenbergen. Okay, there he is. Okay, yes. Okay. So he's like, he's like a little bleep disturber. He brings you the paper and says, hey, this is where you are.
Juraj Slafkovsky [00:26:32] Likely happen a couple of times, but. And he's listening so I hope he's not mad.
Jeff Marek [00:26:38] That's awesome.
Elliotte Friedman [00:26:39] He won't be. He'll laugh.
Juraj Slafkovsky [00:26:40] Yeah.
Elliotte Friedman [00:26:41] And the last one I have for you is, your coach at the Olympics, Craig Ramsey, he's been around the NHL for a long, long time. Like did he say anything to you about, hey, you're gonna have a long career and this is what you need to know or this is what you have to be prepared for when you get there?
Juraj Slafkovsky [00:26:57] Actually, not much about that, but I have been with him like for couple tournaments, and he was always just, either I wasn't scoring and he was telling me that I'm shooter all the time on the training. He was like calling me shooter and I can score one day and of course hen after the bronze medal game, he told me that whenever I need something I can ask him and I can call him and ask for something so, he's really nice guy.
Jeff Marek [00:27:24] That's fantastic. Listen, this has been a lot of fun. Thanks so much for taking time. Congratulations once again on the Olympic medal, looks great on you, looks great on your country, on your country's hockey programme. Very much look forward to seeing you in the NHL as I'm sure you're looking forward to playing there. Thanks so much for taking time today.
Juraj Slafkovsky [00:27:42] Thank you very much.
[00:27:43] [Break.]
Jeff Marek [00:27:52] I really hope you enjoyed that interview, I know Elliotte and I certainly did and let you know our producer, Amil Delic, you know what part he's gonna take away the most. The dog talk. There are few things I think that Amil likes more than dog talk, so I'm really glad that the Jurah was able to to talk about dogs as much as he did.
Elliotte Friedman [00:28:10] I like the part with his sister too, about--
Jeff Marek [00:28:12] Yeah.
Elliotte Friedman [00:28:14] About the medal. I like that. I thought that was really good.
Jeff Marek [00:28:16] Follow the career, follow the career. Taking us out, a musical collective that was formed online during the pandemic. 8LIS5 is a multinational group with a broad collection of musical skills and a sound that draws on emotion and ambition. Here's Bliss, now that's spelled 8LIS5 Bliss, with their first single Faded Wisdom on 32 thoughts the Podcast.
[00:28:41] [Outtro music.]