Translations by Tomas Jandik
Jiri Dopita interview - 'Sport' daily - 11-Jan-02
http://www.deniksport.cz/clanek.asp?id=26&ex_z=kategorie&ex_id=49501

Quotes from Jiri Dopita interview with ‘Sport’ daily after the 5-point scoring performance against Atlanta (conducted over a cell-phone)

About his performance against Atlanta:
“Every of my shots just fell in. At the same time, I did not play any better compared to the other games – sometimes you just finish your chances, sometimes you don’t.”

About playing in the NHL:
“I don’t enjoy playing hockey as much as I did while at home. I have been used to something different – combination-style hockey isn’t particularly liked here.”

About what the Atlanta game may mean for his future on the team:

“Every game is different. Next time I may not play that well and everything will be back where we started. It is difficult to make it on the best team’s lines. If the coach plans on utilizing me sufficiently, then I’ll do my best to adjust to this [NHL] style. If not, then the best thing will be to ask for a trade… But I do hope my position here will improve.”

About Jan Hlavac departure:
“At least he was somebody I was able to combine with. His position [In Vancouver] has definitely improved. He is on both power-play and short-handed lines, the trade has helped him. As far as I know, he doesn’t complain at all.

About John McGourty column criticizing Dopita’s game:
“No, I haven’t read it, and I don’t care about what they write about me…. I came here to play my game. No way I am going to change myself. If they don’t like my [style of] hockey, the best solution will be a trade to a different team.”

Tomas Jandik is the resident Czech on LetsGoPens.com and is a man who unifies all the goodies of the American dream - meaning, of course, being a Pitt graduate, a Razorback, and a Penguins fan.

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