Last season was an eventful one for Filip Chytil that saw him get traded for the first time in his NHL career, but it ended prematurely due to a concussion on March 15. Back home in Czechia for the summer, his summer training is in full swing.

In an interview with Pavel Mandát of Hokej.cz, the 25-year-old center spoke about the mid-season blockbuster trade that sent him from the New York Rangers to the Vancouver Canucks and the whirlwind few days that followed, his health, the coming season and how he’s adjusting to life on a new team and in a new city.

“It seems to me that the games and seasons are going by faster and faster,” he said. “It’s like I was drafted yesterday and now I’ve been playing for eight years. Such is life,” he smiled.

Do you feel that your position in the dressing room is different now?
“You could say that it is. I definitely say more things in the dressing room. As I get older and more experienced, I realize that communication with teammates is really important. Especially when you have younger guys next to you. After the trade to Vancouver, I had to work on communication, because I was playing with completely new teammates.”

Changing teams after seven and a half years must have been strange in a way.
“It was. When you spend that much time somewhere, it becomes part of your life. On the other hand, the momentum and the new environment can be good for you, so I’m happy to be part of the Vancouver Canucks. The facilities here are great, the same goes for the people in the organization.” 

NHL trades are often are often a whirlwind. Was that the case with you?
“I had the same experience. I had a morning workout in New York, then we flew to Boston, where the next day we had an early game against the Bruins. I came back from the gym and I started getting messages that a trade was going to happen. Agents called me, then general managers… So the next morning I flew back to New York, where I had to pick up my passport, and the next day I played a game in Vancouver. So it was a real rush. There was actually no time to think about it.”

Then in your first game for Vancouver, you score a goal. What was that like?
“It was very emotional. That will be a beautiful memory for me for the rest of my life. Considering the previous hectic 48 hours in which the trade was made, scoring in your first game with a new club is just icing on the cake.”

Do you like the Rangers or Canucks style more?
“Both teams have different systems, but I always try to play my game, communicate with my teammates and give 100 percent. So I don’t really care if it’s the Canucks or Rangers system.”

After a decent start to your time in Vancouver, you suffered a concussion that ruled you out for the rest of the season. How difficult was that period?
“Very… A concussion is an injury that is not visible to you at first glance. For example, if you have a broken arm, everyone can see it right away and everyone knows what to do. Head injuries are tricky. That’s why communication with those closest to you is very important. You can’t be afraid to confide in them so that those closest to you know how you’re feeling. The support from my family, from my wife and friends, has helped me a lot.”

Are you 100% healthy today?
“Fortunately yes, knock on wood. I’ve been getting ready for the new season full-time since the beginning of May.”

As part of your training, are you again using the services of your brother Libor for fitness training?
“Yes, Libor and I work out in the gym, I go on the ice with (former WHL player and long time Czech pro) Radek Duda, just like every summer the last six years. I’m completely satisfied.”

Radek was a goal scorer. Has he taught you anything about that?
“Shooting is one of the things we work on a lot. I know that I’m far from fulfilling my potential at it, but when I look back over four years, I’m happy with the progress I’ve made, thanks to Radek. And it’s not just shooting – we’ve been fine-tuning my skating, edgework and so on.”

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What do you think about the coaching change that took place in Vancouver over the summer? “Adam Foote was an assistant with the team, primarily in charge of defensemen. Even in that relatively short time, we found a way to connect, so I’m happy that he will now continue in the role of head coach. I look forward to working with him again.”

How would you describe the team’s outlook for this season and beyond?
“I think the team has great potential for the future. They signed practically all the key players, plus Evander Kane came. And our farm team won the Calder Cup, so we should have a lot of promising players who can be part of the team’s future.”

What about life in Vancouver?
“My wife and I really appreciate it. Both New York and Vancouver are big cities, but Vancouver has enchanted us with its nature. When we have a day off, we always go somewhere.”

Have you already found a favorite place that you like to return to?
“We’re still looking for one. Two months was nowhere near enough time to explore all or even most of the places. But we’ve discovered that nature in Vancouver is really beautiful and we’re looking forward to exploring it further.”

Photo © Bob Frid-Imagn Images

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