Martin Ruzicka: Bulis keeps asking about Traktor

Quality of hockey is higher in KHL than in Extraliga

Martin, your beard has been one of the top highlights of the new KHL season.
I haven’t shaved it for several months, but soon I am going to.

Where did you spend your summer vacation?
Well, first of all I had a very good time in Czech Republic where I spent time with my family and friends. Then I went to Florida and then to Montreal where there is a famous training center that I have visited for several years now. It is a great facility where one can hone their skills and gradually get oneself into decent shape.

You started off last season rather quietly but were getting better by the game. Was it due to the process of adaptation that took so long?
I wanted to start being a help to my new team right from the start, but for different reasons I just could not get things going. It took a lot of time to get used to the strategy and other aspects, and I once understood what the coaching staff wanted from me, I started playing much better.

Is KHL better quality of hockey-wise than the Extraliga?
Of course, even though there are plenty of skillful players in Extraliga.

Thank you once again, Jan Bulis

Jan Bulis, one of Traktor’s most notable foreign players, left the team during the offseason. Do you keep contact with him?
Yes, we do keep contact. He always asks me about what is going on in Traktor. He has taken a break from hockey but often hits the gym to keep himself in decent physical shape.

How did Pavel Francouz adapt to Russia and how did you help him in this process?
I think Pavel is doing pretty well in Russia; he likes the team and the city, and I help him in any way I can, just like Jan helped me when I was new in Chelyabinsk. For that, by the way, I want to once again thank Jan Bulis.

The first few games left a sour taste in the mouths of Traktor fans. What do you think was the reason behind such a rocky start and how far can Traktor go this season?
I agree, it was a rocky start, despite the efforts of everyone on the team. However, we keep our chins high and want nothing but victories. Traktor is a great mix of veterans and young guns who are both hungry for success.

Who of the young players that spent the preseason with Traktor you were most impressed with?
I am not going to give the names, but I was impressed with all the young guys from Belye Medvedi. I am sure they will have a chance to show what they are capable of; they just have to wait for their chance.

Beer, Prague and hockey

Every boy has a childhood hero in hockey, whether it be Mario Lemieux, Wayne Gretzky, Valeri Kharlamov, Pavel Datsyuk, Peter Forsberg, Mats Sundin. Who was you hockey hero?
Jaromir Jagr, of course.

Is the mentality of Russians different from that of the Czechs?
I am absolutely positive that Russians and Czechs have a lot in common, unlike the North Americans who often have a hard time understanding Russian traditions.

Your best linemate in your entire career?
I don’t want to offend anybody in KHL, so I’ll name several guys from before KHL – Radek Bonk, Vaclav Varada and Ladislav Kohn.

If you were to pick Czech Republic’s All-Star Team of all time, who would you pick?
Dominik Hasek in the net, Petr Svoboda and Frantisek Pospisil in the D; Jaromir Jagr, Ivan Hlinka and Vladimir Zabrodsky.

Three things you associate with Czech Republic.
Beer, Prague, hockey.