Pat Cortina, the head coach of the Hungarian national team during the last time the team played in the A-Pool and Briancon general manager Viktor Szélig who had retired at the end of last season, were back in Budapest to be speakers during a coaching seminar that was held by the Hungarian Ice Hockey Federation. Both of them visited the “fan village” that has been set up and watched the Hungary-USA game there. Icehockey.hu cought up with the two Hungarian Ice Hockey legends.
Pat Cortina
What was it like to hold a presentation at the coaching seminar with a number of your former players in the audience as coaches now?
Its great, its nice to see that I didn't kill the love they had for the game, it's great that they are involved, and that there is enough hockey here that they can stay involved in the game.
You were here in February during the Olympic Qualifying tournament what is it like to be back in Hungary from time to time?
I wish I would come back more often, I always ask myself I have i stayed away so long, I always get treated in a special way and everyone is always so nice to me. It is really a special place for me and it is nice to be back.
The national team is on the other side of Europe right now, what is it like to watch the team play on a big screen out here in the sun with the fans as they pay in Russia?
It was an interesting experience, I won't forget this, i was told that I could watch the game, but I never thought it would be a big screen with so many fans. I miss being away from the team but it's like seeing a baby grow up and now seeing someone else take care of them who is doing a great job doing this.
For the first time in a number of seasons you are not working with a national team, last a year ago this time you were at the World Championships with Germany. Do you miss the international scene and do you plan on getting back?
International hockey has been great for me, only positive experiences, but now I will be concentrating on my new club, Schwenninger Wild Wings but if a national team did call me I would be open to joining them. It is an opportunity to learn from so many coaches. In away it's like going back to school, and on a personal level it is so fun meeting new people and being in that environment. It is always lots of fun.
Now that you are back at the club hockey level, what do you think needs to change at the club level in Hungary.
I did catch a couple of MOL League games when I was here and was very impressed by what I saw. I think the coaching is getting better and the level of the everyday work has risen, if this continues in 10 -15 years time Hungary could be a real hockey nation.
Dr. Viktor Szélig
You have a bit of a new role in Hungarian hockey, what is it like to be holding a coaching seminar where a number of coaches in the audience are your former teammates?
It is interesting, I have never been in a situation like this, the only problem was that I had spoke before Pat Cortina and when I heard him talk it was not fun comparing his talk to mine :)
What did you pick up during your playing career that you have been able pass on to the coaches at this event?
Even though I played 30 years in the same sport, moving to the “dark side” is different. It is a big challenge to be able to produce and to be successful. This has been a real challenge, I hope I will able to succeed at this as well, I hope everything will work out.
The next question would be what are you plans for next season?
First I would need to figure out what country do I want to continue my career in. I have some plans in my head and also offers as well. I have hand some very interesting offers, from Hungary as well.
How has your family handed the change form you being a player to being a general manager?
They actually see me less, this is when you can see how good of a life a hockey player has. You work 3-4 hours a day and then you go home and do what you want. On the “dark side” there is no set time limit or hours in the office. There are times when you are working from morning to night, and seven days a week, you always need to be available. I am not complaining this is what interests me the most.
The biggest difference between now and when I played is that I am a lot more nervous now before and during a game than I was as a player. As a player when the game started I was fine, now I am like this from start to finish.
What is it like to watch the national team play from Hungary? Do you miss it at all?
Both yes and no, I miss it when I see what kind of opportunity these guys have. In front of an amazing cheering section for us. Luckily for me I had this as well during my career and this is what I miss the most. I am not missing the physical aspect of the game at all to be honest with you.
