Slovakia qualified for the IIHF World Championship quarterfinals on Tuesday thanks to a victory by the USA over Latvia. After the game, U.S. captain Brady Tkachuk was, according to Slovak journalist Štefan Bugan, quoted as saying:
-“I'm focused strictly on our team and American success, but I guess in the grand scheme of things I can dedicate this win to Pavol Demitra. He was one of my father’s best buddies and he still cherish (sic) their relationship.”
It’s an interesting thing for him to say, particularly in light of a rather physical game between the USA and Slovakia earlier in the tournament, which Tkachuk was heavily involved in.
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yATbCZvvSg[/embed]
But Demitra and Keith Tkachuk were teammates with the St. Louis Blues from 2001 to 2004. Brady was born in 1999 and older brother Matthew in 1997. Demitra died in a 2011 plane crash that killed the entire roster of KHL team Lokomotiv Yaroslavl.
Last week, Tkachuk was interviewed by Slovak media outlet Šport.sk, in which he detailed his father’s friendship with Demitra, from the days when they both played for the Blues.
“I remember him coming to me and my brother’s practises,” Brady said in the interview. “Back then it was the coolest thing in the world for us. Every time I play against Slovakia, and especially in a tournament like this, my father writes to me that you’re now playing for Pavol.”
In 2014, a Slovak documentary film, titled 38, was made about Demitra. Brady’s father appeared in it.
“I remember how they interviewed my father. It’s one of the few times I've seen him get emotional, especially on camera. It showed how much he cared and loved him.”
In January of this year, both Demitra and Kieth Tkachuk were inducted into the St. Louis Blues Hall of Fame at the same time.
“It was very special for dad,” said Brady. “It was great for both my parents and Pavol’s family to return to St. Louis. They saw old acquaintances again and reminisced about their time there. I think it was a great weekend for them and my family.”