The best place I've ever played

Amongst the Brave line-up this year are lots of familiar faces, including returning imports Geordie Wudrick and Jan Safar. Both were instrumental in finals last season and to no one’s surprise, just as great in the opening weekend at the same venue. But one of the best things about having these two back for the Brave, is that they’re almost a package deal, having met in Australia in 2015 and being inseparable ever since. #squadgoals

Geordie: "[I met Jan] almost 2 years ago this week. I had no idea who this guy was, I’d seen his stats on the internet and I knew we were both going to play in Australia. He’s Czech, I’m from Canada so completely different sides of the world. We just clicked, we were roommates, we lived across the hall from each other."

The boys agree that although they may come from different places, they’re love of hockey surpasses all else.

Jan: "Hockey is all we talk about all day every day so when we were in Paris we had a lot of fun walking around and same here in Australia we go walk around town and get a coffee or a beer but most of the time we won’t shut up about hockey".

Geordie: "We literally talk about hockey 24 hours a day. Any time we’re doing anything it’s hockey related, so whether we’re seeing a church or some sort of monument or at a museum, we’re still talking about hockey."

Asked what they like best about each other, the responses are unsurprising for best buds.

Jan: "He’s a funny guy and he jokes around and he never shuts up. He always talks and he always has these ideas about life and how things should be and what he wants to do and I just really enjoy to sit back and listen to him because I think it’s really cool. Sometimes I don’t even know what all the things he talks about are but it’s good because he’s educating me in one sense and I really love that."

Geordie: "I think his heart and his passion. He loves hockey and so do I, that’s what we click on the most. We just love this game and he loves being here as much as I do. I couldn’t ask for anything more, to have a good friend like that. He’s just a great guy, he’s one of the nicest most genuine people you’ll ever meet. He’s a great guy to have as a roommate, and he keeps the place clean, I’m a little bit messy but he likes to clean up after me so he’s great."

Geordie also says that, although it could also be construed as a least favourite thing, he also appreciates that Jan keeps him in line. "He makes sure I’m behaving and he’ll tell me to do the dishes or whatever, he’s almost like a young dad or probably an older brother to me, but it’s great because he’s also my best friend."

Asking Jan whether that was true, he’s answer was clear. "Yes! I have a little bit of OCD on cleaning so it’s just a friendly reminder sometimes. It’s not a big deal, I mean if he doesn’t do it, I’ll do it for him. But he’s fine, he’s way better now than when we first met,"

Geordie also notes "I always kept him up way later than he wanted to be. I think he kind of hates me sometimes because I keep him up at night, but that’s just something he has to deal with." In response Jan again agreed: "Yes sometimes he does that, and then he wakes me up first thing in the morning. I like to sleep in and take my time to relax but he’s always full of energy and first thing in the morning he wants to do stuff like. That’s another thing I really like about him though, that he pushes me to do things. Sometimes I’m just a little bit lazy and want to stay at home and watch TV all day but he makes me go do stuff with him so I enjoy my experiences in Australia way more because I get to do stuff with him instead of sitting at home on my butt."

The other great thing about Geordie and Jan’s friendship is that have a good balance for an attack/defence one on one game, something Geordie says they take off the ice too. "Always [we play one on one], I think that’s a good match up that we have, whether it’s practice or off ice I think we like to battle with each other. Even last year we had a dart board in our apartment and we’d play darts for hours a day, so we like to battle each other. When you have someone else who’s equally as competitive as you it makes you raise your level, no matter what it is, whether it’s sports, it’s off ice things or it’s just life."

Regarding the season as a whole, both boys are excited to be back in Australia.

Geordie: "I love the fans here, it was really exciting to play here [Canberra] last year, especially towards the end of the year, we had a really good run and it’s so exciting to play in this arena [Brave Cave] and for these people. But mostly it’s our club, there’s some really good guys here and our ownership is great and I just had such a good experience last year that it was a no brainer to come back."

Jan: "It’s great, I couldn’t wait for the season to start. As soon as I landed I was really happy so it’s good to be back. [I’m back] because I love Australia. I think it’s the place to be. I don’t know how many days of hockey I’ve got left so I want to try to have as much fun as I can playing and I want to try and make the most of it this year."

Being excited to be back in their Australian lifestyle is one thing, which Jan notes is his favourite thing about Australia, but both boys also mentioned their home ice as particular draw ins:

Geordie: "Best thing would obviously be the Brave Cave, it’s the most unique hockey rink I’ve ever played in, but it’s exciting, it adds a whole extra element to the game of hockey and I don’t think you could find it anywhere else in the world. That’s the most exciting thing. I tell everyone, no matter where I go round the world that this is the best place I’ve ever played. It’s exciting and you know, one of my favourite things is just being able to lead the guys out for warm ups and on period breaks every time and hearing fans right at the front door screaming and cheering, it almost sends chills down your spine, it’s awesome."

Jan: ". I love the Brave Cave, I can’t wait to be home and play a home game and see the atmosphere again. This season in France I talked about it all the time, how much fun it is to play when the rink is full and that we have the best fans. It’s probably one of the main things I’m looking forward to and why I want to be back in Canberra. Many of the fans came [to Melbourne] which is huge that they would fly or drive over here, it’s quite far. It’s great to see the Brave fans here but I can’t wait to be back at the Cave and see all the faces."

Jan and Geordie also feel very positive about the Brave this year, both noting the inclusions of new players and a new coach have really rounded out the team.

Geordie: "I think we’re going to do really well. I think we’ve made a couple of really good additions and we have a new coach. We’re moving in a good direction. I can see how everyone has progressed in the off season and there’s a lot of guys that have really good work ethics here and I think we’re going to see some good positive changes this year."

"[Rob Starke is] a great leader, he’s one of those men amongst boys, he’s always a true leader and well spoken, I think that’s what we need right now. To have someone with that stability is pretty awesome for us."

"I’m really excited [about Brian Bales]. I think that’s one of our biggest additions and that’s kind of one of those secret back pocket things we have. He has lead the league in points so he’s an exceptional player and one of those talents that you don’t just find everywhere."

Jan: "I have a really good feeling about it [this season]. We have a great group of guys so far. If we all get along really well and you can build on that, if we play for each other that’s how we win the championship. If you play for the guy next to you and you’re willing to sacrifice yourself for the cause, that’s going to be the biggest thing."

"I’m really happy that CBR got Rob [Starke] during the Summer because I think he is a great person firstly and he’s got a lot of experience in hockey. He’s really good with people management so I think he’s one of the best coaches, if not the best coach in Australia. It’s my pleasure to be able to play for him."

"Bales is amazing guy too, he won us the championship in 2015 with the sweet move on the penalty shot on the finals when we played together so we’ve built memories together that we’ll never forget, so it’s a bonus for me that [he’s] here. I would be here either way, but to have Bales, Starkey, Woody, you know, it makes me really happy that they’re here and now we’ve added the new guys, I think that was the missing piece we didn’t have last year, so I think it’s all looking really good."

Jan has also been appointed as Alternate Captain this year for the Brave, something he says he is honoured to receive. "It feels amazing. I really appreciate that the guys voted for me and they respect me a little bit you know. I just want to be a good role model for the young guys, I want to help them as much as I can and I’m here to learn too, I want to learn as much as I can every day. What I’m going to try and do this season is be a positive and good leader and help the guys as much as I can, and on the other side, learn from them as well."

The league is excited to see the duo back again, and the Brave is even more thrilled that we see them back in Canberra. If the season opener is anything to go by, we’ll have a ‘cracking’ season ahead!

Jan: "I think there must have been a crack [in the window] beforehand because my shot is not that hard! But it’s always cool especially when you hear the fans cheering, it’s almost a louder cheer then if someone scored a goal because both sides enjoyed that. The guys were mad at me because we had to delay for like 20 minutes. But the cool thing about it was the reaction from the fans, that was the most fun part."

Looking at the season overall, Geordie and Jan are, as always, committed to the cause.

Geordie: "I think my number one goal is to try and win another AIHL championship and get one for the CBR Brave."

Jan: "I’ll do whatever it takes."

We hope they’re here for a long time to come, a sentiment they seem to share. Geordie: "I loved it [in Australia], so I think I’ll always come back, as long as they keep letting me."

First home game is on Sunday May 7th. Get your tickets at the CBR Brave website now.