Release from 21.09.2023

Aljaz Predan: "It's fun to go out on the ice with this team."

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Aljaz Predan moved to HK SZ Olimpija after eight years with EC Red Bull Salzburg. Thus, the 23-year-old Slovenian plays for a team from his home country for the first time since the U18. Already in the second game for Ljubljana the forward could celebrate his first goal, which promptly became the top goal of the first week. In an interview with win2day ICE Hockey League, the Dragons' newcomer talks about his new role, HK SZ Olimpija and his goals.

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After eight years in Salzburg, you moved to Olimpija in the summer. What were your motives?

I generally believe that it is much more difficult to play as a foreigner in a team. After I left Salzburg, Ljubljana was the only station that made sense for me. The coach and the entire staff then pulled out all the stops to get me to HKO.

How do you look back on your time in Salzburg?

I spent my youth in Salzburg and went to school there for four years. It wasn't easy to leave, of course, because Salzburg was already something like my home. It was a nice time.

How quickly did you settle in Ljubljana?

I settled in very quickly in Ljubljana. I already knew many of my teammates from before and I got along well with the others right away. Ljubljana is also an incredible city that I really love

The start of the season has gone well for you. After the point against Linz, you celebrated your first win of the season on Sunday in Vienna with a great comeback. How did the game go from your point of view?

We deserved this positive start to the season. We always just focus on our game and not on what the opponents are doing. We want to play fast and fight throughout the entire game. As soon as you enter the dressing room, you notice the great cohesion in the team. It's really fun to go out on the ice with the team.

You scored the important goal when the score was 0:2. How special was your first goal in the Olimpija jersey, which was even named the top goal of the first week?

Of course it was a special feeling. You never forget your first goal. Now I hope that many more will follow.

You scored the goal after a beautiful solo run. Does that also show that you want to take responsibility?

Of course I want to play a different role here than I did in Salzburg. I get a lot more ice time. With the Red Bulls it was maybe five to seven minutes per game - here it's 20 minutes now - that feels good, of course.

The season is still young - but what goals do you have as a team and what are your personal goals?

Our coach doesn't give us any pressure. He focuses on a high energy level in every match and the team structure. We don't have "handcuffs" on, we just play ice hockey. The head coach wants us to be able to go into every game without fear. If we take that to heart, we can go far. Personally, I've set my goal as further development.

You play in Graz on Friday - what do you expect from this game?

It won't be a repeat of the preparation game - Graz will certainly be much more dangerous. But if we play like we did against Vienna, we can surprise everyone.