Dave:
How did you first get involved in
hockey? What inspired you to bring your game to the pro level?
Filip: It is all about my dad he
played top league in Czech so I guess he wanted his son to go in his
shoes. I started when I was 5 years old.
Dave: What part of your game do your feel will need the most improvement if you are to make it in the NHL?
Filip: Responsibility and patience and not to play too risky.
Dave: What do feel is your game's greatest strength?
Filip: Creativity on ice.
Dave: Do the new rules help or hinder you?
Filip: Depends how good of a sleep did referee have night before game.
Dave: Was it a big surprise that you were picked up by the Columbus organization?
Filip:
Not
really I was UFA so It was up to me to pick which team to play for.
Dave: Do you think the move will help your chances of seeing some more NHL time?
Filip: I hope so otherwise I wouldn't do it.
Dave:
You and Tomas Kloucek were brought in
this season partly to help countryman Tomas Popperle adjust to the North
American game. How do you feel he is coming along so far?
Filip:
Everyday
you can see he speaks better and better once in a while he throws a joke
out here too which is very funny just because he is trying.
Dave: You will be representing the Crunch in the All Star
game in Toronto. It's your third time selected, how do you
feel about that?
Filip: Its always great honor to be selected and I am looking forward to it the only bad thing is that I am gonna miss out on 3 days of rest.
Dave: The defensive pairs have been shuffled a lot this season. Which partner do you feel you have been most successful playing with?
Filip: I think me Mark were playing good together he is somebody that plays smart and responsibly and he hits everybody near him. and he covers my mistakes well too....:-) then I played with Tomas for little bit which was good as well.
Dave: How do you like living in Syracuse? How is it similar to you hometown? How is it different?
Filip: I'm getting use to this city it always takes a little bit to get comfortable in new place. I like it.
Dave:
What do you do when not playing
hockey? Hobbies?
Filip: Books,
movies, friends, computer, shopping.
Dave: Who is your favorite (answers in
red)
a) Pro athlete? - Federrer
b) Hockey player while you were growing up? - Paul Coffey
c) Non athlete celebrity? - PETRA NEMCOVA , model which survived tsunami crisis and now does great things to help other people.
d) Musical artist? - Robbie Williams
Dave: How did you feel about Brandon Sugden leaving the team?
Filip: I respected his decision and I think he did a right thing for him and his family, so I wish him good luck and success in future.
Dave: If you were not playing hockey, what sport would you play? Do you think you would be good enough to be a pro at it?
Filip: When I was about 12 I was deciding if I should start be serious more about hockey or soccer, it wasn't hard decision. and If I stuck with soccer I believe I could be good but now I play soccer once a year and I have to be worry not to get hurt and I'm pretty sure I was way better in my young years then now.
Dave: Who has been the greatest influence on your career thus far?
Filip: My family especially my dad.
Dave: What has been the highlight of your hockey career so far?
Filip: NHL games
Dave: Do you have any brothers or sisters? Are they athletes? Have family members come to see you play?
Filip: I have one sister Marketa, and she is very active, she can play almost any sport. she is best at volleyball. In summer she gives me lessons in beach volleyball and I'm giving her tennis lessons...its lot of fun
Dave: Who do you most admire on the Crunch?
Filip: Coaches for not loosing their mind yet, mike and Rodney for putting up with us every day and especially Red for coming to help us whenever he can and doing GREAT JOB.
Dave: How do you feel about the Syracuse fans? Are you comfortable signing autographs? Are you usually noticed in public?
Filip: Yeah I like signing a talking to fans its fun and during game fans can pump you up so you want to give back a little bit.
Dave: What would you like to do when your playing days are over?
Filip: Not much I hope I would have enough money so I wont have to. just take care of my family some charity I would run and few horses by my house ...we will see what's gonna happen.
Dave: Do you read any of the stuff on the internet, whether it be positive or negative and do you let that affect your play?
Filip: Yeah once in a while I do. Sometimes it effects it, sometime it doesn't. It depends if its something true or useful or complete nonsense.
Interviewers note: I would like to thank Filip Novak for taking
the time to do this interview.