Jure Sotlar about his his role as captain and leader of Celje

It's been a tough start to the Alps Hockey League for you guys, with four losses in your first four games. How big was the relief after the win against Lustenau in the fifth game?
Jure Sotlar: „Yes, the start was tough. But we knew that it will be not easy because we are a young and unexperienced team. Some guys are playing at that level for the first time in their career. When we won against Lustenau, we found our winning mentality. From that moment on we knew that we can do it. That was the moment we needed to lets say arrive in the league.“

Now you are doing better. You already won some games. Do you think you've fully arrived in the Alps Hockey League?
„Yes, I think so. We are in a better rhythm than at the beginning. We just need to work hard, be disciplined and than we can win some more games for sure.“

You were on the verge of a big surprise against local rival Jesenice lately. Until three and a half minutes before the end you were 2:1 in the lead. In the end you lost with 2:3/So. How much does that narrow defeat still hurt?
„Yes, it is a derby against Jesenice. But for us professionals it is just another game. Maybe you want the win a little bit more, especially to beat better teams. But it is what it is. We where very close to winning the game. We have the feeling that we can compete against the best in the league and we have to go from that on.“

How big was the leap from the Slovenian league to the AHL at the beginning, especially for the young players?
„Like I said it was not easy. Some guys still have problems. They never played senior hockey before. It is hard to expect from them to make a difference. They need time to adapt. But we are going in a right way. It is a process.“

With 30 years, you are the most experienced player in the team with Luka Kalan and also the captain. What responsibility do you see in your role?
„Yes, it is funny because before Luka signed I was by far the oldest player in the team. As a captain I maybe put a little bit too much pressure on myself on a positive way, because now it is not only to make a difference on the ice, as I was used to. I need to make a difference off the ice too. Be a little bit a role model. But I like it. I think I have a big respect from the players and the stuff. So I can´t complain about anything for now.“

Do you also see yourself as responsible for developing the young players? Overall, Celje has a very young team, with an average age of 21.40.
„Yes, the vision of the club when they signed me in summer 2022 was that I should help to develop young players, to teach and guide them on and off the ice. I am trying as much as I can in practices and games. I hope they can learn something from me. And yes, we have a really young team. In some games the little things are missing. This is due to a lack of experience by most players. But we have really potential for the future. I hope we stay together for many years.“

Half of the Regular Season is over now. What do you think you can achieve in your debut season as a team?
„Our big goal this season is still to make it to the playoffs. We showed that we can compete and win against everyone but also lose against everyone. We just need to continue that way, how we played the last couple of games. Respect all the rules from the coaches and be disciplined. Try to win every game but we need to be realistic too. There are no bad teams in the league. I think the first half of the Regular Season shows it. If you are not ready you lose the game. I think the system of the league allows, that if you had a bad Regular Season you can still make it to the Playoffs or the other way round. Our goal is to be as high placed as possible, to learn as much as possible and to experience as much as possible. If we play our best hockey we can reach the Playoffs. But lets go step by step and than we will see.“

Finally, one last question about your personal future: Can you imagine playing for another team in the AHL? Or maybe even in another league?
„I am really happy in Celje. When I signed here, I signed a three year contact so I still have another year to be part of this team. I like to be here, I am happy here. The plan was to be a leader and to stay in the club for many years. I would like to stay in Celje for many more years and it wouldn´t mind me to finish my career here. But lets go step by step. You never know in hockey. So we will see in the future but for now I am really happy here.“

HK RST Pellet Celje's next game will be at the EHC Lustenau on Friday, November 17. Watch all matches of the league newcomer in the PPV livestream on valcome.tv.