Austria’s national team has been strengthened in the fight for class retention at the A-WC in Denmark. NHL striker Michael Raffl of the Philadelphia Flyers arrived in Copenhagen on Sunday evening, completed his training on Monday and is ready for the match against Slovakia on Tuesday (4.15 pm).
Due to the bureaucracy after the birth of his daughter Elina three months ago, Raffl came to Copenhagen late, but now wants to help to maintain the class. On Monday the 29-year-old spoke about his season in Philadelphia and expectations in Copenhagen.
Question: How do you sum up the season in Philadelphia?
Michael Raffl: Actually, I had a good year with a very slow start. In the beginning there was a fourth line, so you don’t get as much ice time. It’s hard to score points if you don’t play Powerplay and in the first three lines. But I didn’t stop working, it finally paid off. I’ve worked my way into a bigger role. You need a role in a team. If you know you’re needed, that gives you the fun of hockey.
Question: What was the trainer’s feedback after the end of the season?
Raffl: That they’re glad they have a player they can use everywhere. I played fourth line and first line – except backup goalkeeper I was everything this year. They just want me to increase my production, which is understandable. One tries to increase from year to year.
Question: How do you see the play-off against Pittsburgh?
Raffl: To be fair, they were better and deservedly progressed. You really know how to win a play-off series like that. At the end of the day, we weren’t good enough.
Question: How was your preparation for the World Cup?
Raffl: I feel very good. I’ve been out of season for three weeks now, I should be out of my mind. Unfortunately, I didn’t have that many opportunities to get on the ice. And when I went on the ice, not many people wanted to go with me. I was often alone on the ice, you can’t play passes, it gets boring fast. It wasn’t perfect. It’s gonna take me a while to get into rhythm. But I should be so experienced by now that even though I’m not at 100 percent, I can find a way to help the team.
Question: What have you heard about the World Cup so far?
Raffl: I watched the first match against Switzerland, in the second I was on the plane, so I only saw the result. You can be satisfied with both. Against Switzerland one point, that can be extremely important, we could also have won. Strong (goalkeeper Starkbaum) has played incredibly, you need that at this level; if the goalkeeper plays super, you always have a chance. Against Russia 0:7 is fair to say is okay. I’ve seen worse.
Question: How do you deal with the fact that expectations are now higher with an NHL player?
Raffl: You always feel pressure, you always put it on yourself. I know what’s expected of me, but you have to be realistic. Every game three goals from me will not go out. But I’ll do my best to help the team where I can. Work hard, be defensively stable and maybe score a goal or two.”
Question: Do you already know what the trainer’s plan is for you?
Raffl: He’d like to let me play as a center. I haven’t played for over a year and it doesn’t make it any easier, but wherever you are needed. But it should fit, I’ve been playing center in the national team lately.
Question: You are starting against Slovakia, can you assess it similar to Switzerland?
Raffl: Pretty similar. I think you can play along. We beat Slovakia in Helsinki. Of course you need a little luck and a really good day, but we certainly don’t have no chance.
Question: How do you see the chance of retaining your class?
Raffl: You have to win the key games, you have to be ready. Don’t give up easy goals, be defensively extremely stable. Maybe the others have more the target or more shots, but if we have the chance, we have to use it.
Question: You immediately confirmed for the World Cup – did it also play a role that the team boss was in America?
Raffl: It’s positive that the head coach is interested. I’ve known these guys for so long, they’re like my family. I said before the season, when I’m fit and everything fits, I’d love to come. It’s bitter when you lose or get off, but you have to have fun. There is nothing better than playing an A-WM.
Question: Do you see yourself as a role model for young national team players?
Raffl: It made me very proud where I am now. I was in the second Swedish league, as the offer (from the NHL) has come, I thought I’ll try it a year. If it doesn’t work out, I want to try everything. It’s doubly beautiful that it worked out this way.
Question: Your contract in Philadelphia expires after this season. Are you worried about being transferred?
Raffl: You can’t influence that. The less you think about it, the easier you make your life. If you get traded, you get traded, I’m not afraid of it. There was no suggestion that they were dissatisfied or wanted me gone. But you don’t know what their plans are. Philly’s got a lot of talent that’s supposed to be really good. Let’s see in which direction the flyers want to go. Anyway, I’m planning on going to Philly next year.
Question: What do you think about the League and the Vegas Golden Knights?
Raffl: That there are a lot of good players who often fly under radar. How I saw their first games and played against them, it was frightening how good they are. They really are title contenders, if not favourites. They play incredible hockey.