PowerPlay Magazin

Who are you and why do you want to lead the U.S. senior national hockey team?
 
Patty16: I have been playing Powerplay Manager for a long time now. I started in the Czech league in 2010. My team was HCM Warrior Brno. I never won a big trophy, but my stadium was upgraded to the maximimum size. Three years ago I moved to the USA to play hockey. I considered switching countries to challenge the best American managers like capsaicin and MaxOo. At the beginning of 2017, I decided to create a team in the U.S. under the name of HC Dallas Stars. Though I lacked national team experience, I decided to run for manager of the U.S. senior national hockey team. After I won the NT election I contemplated the challenges for this season, and I truly believed we have a chance to move into the top division with the big guys. I am sure that is every team’s dream, but I really want to try to promote to the top division. I want to prove that I am capable of promoting to the top division.
 
I see you are pretty confident!
What is your strategy for the U.S. senior national hockey team for this season and for the future (maybe over the next 3 or 4 seasons)?

P: Actually, we should focus on both. The old guys with plenty of experience will be favored for the World Championship, and the young guns will play a lot during the friendlies. By doing this, the youth will acquire some experience, and the elders should save some extra stamina for the World Championship. The strategy for the World Championship will be updated and optimized on a day to day basis during the tournament, so there is no reason to talk about it right now. Obviously I will study our opponents and their games to identify their weakneses. I am still looking for someone who would like to help with scouting our opponents. Our last friendly game is against Czech Republic, and that game should give us a good idea of our true potential. I want to be good this season to continue the adventure next season.

So, what is your plan for the friendlies?

P: My plan is clear. I want to play most of the games with the same players. As friendlies have absolutely no importance, I won’t change any players (if I am lucky with injuries) so they will improve their chemistry. I will also seek to improve the chemistry of some of the tactics as we are a little bit weak in some of them. 
 
Can you tell us which players will be the base of the team and why?
P: I identified some key players:
Mack Gaudreau - Old goalie with a lot of experience. It's probably his last season with the national team.

Michael Robertson - Another old player with a lot of experience. Last season, he was one of the best players for the team. He should remain one of the most used player this season.

Clint Connelly - It is likely his last season with the national team. He is not the player he used to be anymore, but he has a lot of experience, and I want him to play on the second line this season.

Daniel Carter - Very nice defenseman. I want him to play on the first line, but he has taken a lot of penalties in the past. I will make a final decision before the tournament about him, but he will have a significant role on the team.

Michael Richardson - He played just one game during the World Championship last season, but he will have the chance for more playing time this season on the fourth line. 

Lee Maurer - He is the brand new backup goalie, and he will play some games for sure. He is the future goalie of the team in the short-medium term.

All these guys will be part of the the backbone of the team for this season. For some of them, this World Championship could be their last.

What problems could the team face?
P: I am afraid that a lack of experience will negatively impact the team's potential performance. I hope I can save as much as energy as possible to overcome the problem, but still…
Of course, it will not be easy, but I am pretty sure that we can beat any team. Unfortunately, the opposite is also possible.
 
Which teams will be your main opponents during the first round of the World Championship?
P: If I must pick one, I would choose Latvia or Norway, but we should really focus on our own team rather than the ability of the other teams. Tactics will be the key to success. Wish me good luck!

Have a good day everyone!