CHARLOTTE, NC – I have always been impressed by the Charlotte Checkers. As an organization they are first class from top to bottom. This was my first one-on-one interview with Charlotte players; all three players that I interviewed were an absolute delight. As a foreigner myself, born in London, UK, it felt natural for me to select the foreign players on the team to hear their side of “Coming to America”.
Michal Jordan was born 21 years ago in Zlin, in the Czech Republic, a town famous for Bata Shoes and the birthplace of playwright Tom Stoppard. He drafted to the fourth round by the Checkers in 2008. In the summer he returns to Zlin to see family and to study. Michal played as a junior in the Czech Republic with Zlin for one season before he took the big step to come to North America.
A gold medal winner at the 2008 under-18 World Junior Championships, Michal was named the tournaments Best Defenseman. He has represented the Czech Republic since 2006 in the World Junior Championships and the Five Nations Cup.
Number #29 for the Checkers played for the Windsor Spitfires and the Plymouth Whalers in the Ontario Hockey League. He was named Plymouth’s Defenseman of the Year in 2008-9.In his second year Michal like all young players, is looking to the NHL as his ultimate goal. Talking about goals he is also a big soccer fan, supporting English Premier League team Liverpool.
Justin Kruegar, #3 for the Checkers was born in DĂĽsseldorf, Germany, an international business and financial center. He began his hockey career with the Swiss club S.C. Berne. When asked the difference between playing in the AHL and playing in Europe, Justin said the rink is 13 feet wider in Europe giving them much more space. This also means the game in North America is more physical.
A graduate of Cornell University in hotel management, Justin signed a one-year contract with the Carolina Hurricanes in April 2011. Serving as team captain he won a gold medal with Germany in the Division 1 2005 World Championships. He played for the German national team at the IIHF Worlds in 2010 and 2011.
Justin spent one season with Penticton Vees in the British Columbia Hockey League, leading them to an Interior Championship in 2005-06. He also led Cornell to the ECAC championship in his senior season in 2009-10. When asked what he enjoys about being a Checker he said “the camaraderie, they are a great bunch of players.”
Rasmus Rissanen was born in Kuopio, Finland a town on Lake Kallavesi, where part of the town is built on islands. This 6’ 3”, 205 lbs, 20-year-old defenseman loves Charlotte, especially the entertainment available. Drafted by the Checkers in 2009, his aim is to learn more about the professional game, he is totally committed to focusing on hockey and reaching the NHL.
Selected by Everett Silvertips (Western Hockey League) he played two seasons in Washington State. Rasmus also played for Finland in the 2011 World Junior Championships and won a bronze medal at the 2008 U-18 World Championships.
When asked about the biggest lessons learned as a professional he replied “patience. It takes time to really learn everything. You have to be patient, willing to listen and work hard.” It is tough to be at the Hurricanes pre-season training camp hoping that you are going to be selected then get cut he added. Rasmus like many of his teammates is still young with plenty of opportunity of making that step up to the NHL I believe all three of these young men are going to reach that goal one day.
EddieMitchell@prohockeynews.com
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