Release from 14.02.2024

Zan Us: “We have too many ups and downs this season”

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Goaltender Zan Us is currently playing his fourth season with HDD SIJ Acroni Jesenice. Last summer the 27-year-old returned from HK SZ Olimpija back to Jesenice. In an exclusive interview, the Ljubljana native explained, among other things, why he decided to return to Jesenice, why things are not going so well in sporting terms this season and his role as a mentor.

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You moved from Olimpija back to Jesenice in the summer and are currently playing your fourth season in Jesenice. Why did you decide to return to Jesenice?
"I decided to return to Jesenice because I have an important role here and a lot of minutes on the ice."

How is a direct move from Ljubljana to Jesenice accepted by the fans? The two clubs are not really the 'best friends'.
"It's true, these two clubs are big rivals, but I didn't feel any teasing or anything worse by the fans."

Jesenice won the title for the first time last season. Things aren't going so well this season. Why do you think so?
"After winning the league last year, everyone expected and predicted another victory, but to beat all the teams in the league, a lot of things have to come together, you also need some sporting luck. We had too many ups and downs this season, thats why we are not so successful in the ranking."

What went wrong in the Regular Season that you narrowly missed the Master Round qualification?
"Like I said, we played hot and cold, somehow we didn't catch the winning constant and that was the reason why we didn´t qualify for the Master Round."

You are now playing in the Qualification Round and are on the best way to reach the Pre-Playoffs. Is winning the title still the big goal, or do you think the competitors are too strong?
"Winning the trophy is the goal of every athlete, every club that has ambitions, but you don't bother with this goal every day. For us, every new match is a new goal, to win the three points we need."

How satisfied are you personally with your performances?
"I am satisfied with my performance, although statistically it is not as good as I would like. A positive aspect is that we conceded the second-fewest goals of all teams."

With Bor Glavic you have a 17-year-old backup goalie. Do you see yourself as a mentor and do you try to teach your young teammate a lot?
"Bor and I are good friends and have known each other for a long time. Every summer in Bled, we have a specific goalkeeping camp where I help as a coach, so I have seen his progress over the last three to four years. He is very hardworking and humble, he may have a good road ahead of him."

At the age of 27, you are still a young goalkeeper too. What further goals do you have in your career?
"They say the years I'm coming in are the best for goalkeepers, so I'm positive about what's still to come. I don't really have a specific goal where I would like to play, I go day by day, if you are hardworking and positive, eventually things will turn out as they should."

On Saturday you'll be facing the second Slovenian team, Celje, at home. How much are you looking forward to a clash like this?
"Celje has grown throughout the season this year and the match against them will certainly be tough. But our first step is to go to Val Gardena on Thursday and get points. Then we will prepare for Celje."

Watch all games of HDD SIJ Acroni Jesenice live on www.valcome.tv.