Richard, how did your return in the Czech Republic come up?
I needed a fresh start. Traveling across North America is hard, so when the offer from Sparta came, I seized the day. You can´t refuse opportunity like this.

Is it possible that America lost interest on you?
I don´t think so. There was an interest but I wanted to come back home. Besides the Czech extraleague is very good. I´m looking forward to it.

You stayed in America for quite a long time but your engagement by Red Wings didn´t succeed. You were out of luck by St. Louis Blues too. It must have been soul destroying for you, mustn´t it?
From this point, yes it has. This kind of situation is hard on mental aspect for hockey players, but they´re mostly ready for this possibility. If you can hold out, you stay. If you can´t, you leave. I have signed with St. Louis Blues but I didn´t get chance anyway. That´s why I´m back at home. I want to help Sparta.

How´s that feel when you are here, in the Czech Republic, after such a long time?
My last visit was two years ago. It´s great to see my family again. On the other side, my girlfriend had to stay in the US. We are going to solve this problem soon as possible.

In this summer Adam Polášek left Sparta. He came from overseas, showed great play and after the end of the season got a chance in KHL. Is this a motivation for you?
There is an option that I´ll stay. Sparta is a high-quality hockey club, takes part in Champions Hockey League and opens door to abroad at the same time.

You are a fosterling of another Prague hockey club, Slavia. Isn´t it strange for you?
I´ve expected this question. In my opinion it doesn´t matter if you are a player of Sparta or Slavia. I was leaving Slavia when the club was on the top with Sparta. In the meantime the situation has changed. Sparta has chosen me because I was a free player. So it doesn´t mean I´m a betrayer.

You´ve just said that returning home is your new beginning. Do you think this is your chance to show your talent?
At that time it wasn´t possible. I was in youth. Well, maybe I got a lot of penalties. I think when a hockey player has an opportunity to travel in the United States or Canada because of hockey, definitely he should try it.

Your oversea career wasn´t bad at all. Maybe the reason was wrong timing?
There´s always time. You mustn´t give up your dream, don´t look around yourself and play well.

What have you learned in North America?
It´s hard work absolutely. Each hockey player has to work hard there if he wants to deserve his place in a team. It doesn´t matter in which round they are drafted or if they play or not. The next thing is the method of training and preparing for a game, moral and behaviour against the coach. These things are perfect in the US or in Canada.

Are you worrying about getting used to bigger ice rink again?
Not really. For me is worse to go from bigger to smaller. We´ll see when the season starts but I´m not seeing changes at the moment.

You´re not afraid to give a hit. Sparta has some more rough guys e.g. Michal Čajkovský. Have you measured your powers already?
He´s got bigger muscles definitely. I´m wondering if he´s fast enough. Few years ago when we both played on hockey championship under twenty, we had arranged a fight. But it didn´t happen in the end.

Have you remembered on that championship together?
Yes, we´ve. We know each other for a long time. Since when I was signed by Swift and Michal played in Ottawa. We wrote a call each other up a lot.

Have you an overview about next fighters in Tipsport Extraleague?
I heard about Ryan Hollweg. Our Míra Forman is dangerous too. If a good opportunity is coming out, I´m not afraid to defend boys.

Do you know some other players in the team?
I know more guys here e.g. Martin Gernát or Dominik Uher. The team looks really great.