By The Hall Way

Life lessons learned at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup

Aug 7, 2018 | 10:14 AM

Monday night was a rough one for the Czech Republic team competing at the 2018 Hlinka Gretzky Cup.

Following a surprise confidence-boosting victory over Canada in exhibition play Saturday, the Czechs were trampled 6-0 at Red Deer’s Servus Arena by Team USA.

Admittedly, I was hesitant in asking to speak with the Czech captain Jaromir Pytlik afterward. After all, what 17-year-old wants to talk to a bunch of media strangers after getting squashed?

Pytlik is in Red Deer for the very first time this week, hoping to push his teammates to a berth in the medal round of this historic tournament which is being played in Canada for the very first time.

“We didn’t start too bad. We had scoring chances, but we didnt capitalize,” Pytlik said through a translator. “From the middle of the game, we felt like we were out of power. Maybe there was some jetlag.”

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That’s a fair point.

I was on vacation in BC last week and the one-hour difference messed me up good. These kids are trying to perform at a world class level and maintain peak physical condition while operating eight hours behind what their used to.

“It’s an honour to be captain of the team in a tournament like this. I’m willing to do anything to help this team,” the 6’2″, 189 pound forward vowed, adding they’ll use Tuesday morning to regenerate in advance of their 3 p.m. matchup against Russia.

Meanwhile, the young man who shut the door on the Czechs for Team USA was humble, but proud of his team for coming through with a win.

“Coming in, I wasn’t really sure what to expect,” said Dustin Wolf, who minds the net for the Everett Silvertips of the WHL. “I was a little rusty, but I stuck to my routine and was able to help my team.”

Wolf, who went 13-6 in 20 games with the Tips during his rookie season last year and stopped 23 shots on Monday, was also sporting a Humboldt Broncos decal on the back of his cage.

“Last year during the playoffs, it hit us all pretty hard,” he said. “I didn’t know anybody, but knowing the community and how well it gelled together to fight for them — it’ll be there next year too. I don’t plan on taking it off anytime soon.”

Those are the words of two kids emoting in opposite directions after a lop-sided, yet hard-fought game that wasn’t short on solid hits, nor speed from both sides. One of them was happy to talk to me, while the other did so willingly but probably would’ve rather passed and I wouldn’t have held it against him.

Their words represent what is good about the game of hockey: emotion, yes, but also the spirit of competition and the ability to move on and recoup.

Those things also apply to life, which is why the next time you’re at a game during this tournament, or you take your family to a Red Deer Rebels game, or an NHL match-up, remember that the guys or gals skating like the wind either are kids or were kids.

They’re out there because they love the game and everything that comes with it, including the sweet taste of victory AND the chance to show they might have had a down day, but they can and will be better — just like with anything in life.

Not to sound like I’m advertising, but if you can, check out this tournament while it’s here or in Edmonton. It won’t be back until 2020.

The players deserve support, and their attitudes and actions may just teach a young one a valuable life lesson. Be it positive or negative, both are important.