Fehérvár AV19 is one point away from clinching third place for the regular season, which would mean home ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs. This past match week Fehérvár picked up two shutout low scoring wins against playoff bound teams in Ferencváros and Debrecen. On of the key players in these two wins was goalkeeper Janis Kalnins with his two shutouts and stopping a total 45 shots and is this week's Player of the Week.
Janis Kalnins joined Fehérvár in the offseason after spending the previous two seasons with rival MOL League team Dunaújváros. Kalnins comes from Limbazi Latvia and came up through the Metalurgs Liepaja youth system where he also turned pro. Kalnins also represented his native Latvia at the U18 and U20 level as well as making the senior team for this past years A-Pool world championships. Janis Kalnins took time after his afternoon practice to answer some questions.
What has the move from Dunaújváros to Fehérvár been like?
Its really good here, the team is really taking good care of the players. I'm not going to deep in details but everything is really good here, and the city is nice here as well.
The two seasons with DAB you split time with Peter Sevela and this season with Alex Scola, how do you work together with your goalie partner?
Mainly I just focus on what I have to do, my game, my workouts. However any advice from them or if I see something that could work for my game I take. We are good friends and we have good competition to get the number one spot on the team.
What was it like to be apart of the Latvian national team at last years world championships?
That was awesome experience even though I did not play. First time I was inside the dressing room and could see world's biggest hockey stars next to me and watch how they work. The atmosphere at the ice rink and inside team was really good.
Hungary is a very nice country, there is a lot to see and good weather most of the time. I have nothing to complain about living here.
What do you think of the level of hockey in the MOL League?
MOL League level is higher than in my first year here, the teams are getting better and level is improving every season. This season is even more interesting than my first two seasons in the league.