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| Rocket forward Alex Gallant is escorted to the penalty box after a fight in a recent 7-3 loss to the Saint John Sea Dogs in Charlottetown. |
Tomas Pavelka knew three languages when he arrived from the Czech Republic to play junior hockey for the Rocket. Now he speaks five. He knew Czech, German and Russian when he arrived. He has added English and French.
Pavelka struggled early on. He had to adjust to an English-speaking province as well as a smaller ice surface. European rinks have a much larger ice surface.
But it’s not just the European players who have to adjust to an English-speaking province.
When Olivier Croteau first came to P.E.I. through a trade with the Gatineau Olympiques, he struggled with English so he’s impressed with Pavelka.
“When he came here, he could already speak three languages. Now he can speak English and French,” said Croteau.
The Rocket roster includes two players from the Czech Republic. Last year the Rocket had two Czech-born players finish their junior careers with the Rocket. Having them on the team helped them prepare for the Czech rookies, said Rocket assistant captain Josh Currie.
“It helped a lot. We have two guys coming from a European culture and things are totally different here for them.”
Rocket coach Gordie Dwyer helps the players adapt.
“Gordie is great. If he’s talking one-on-one with a French player, he will speak in French,” said rookie Alex Gallant.
The players said the French players are good at speaking English, but the English players admit they can’t speak French.
“I can’t speak a word of French,” said Currie.
Despite not being able to speak Czech, the players do what they can to help Matej Beran and Pavelka.
“It’s a challenge, but we do what we can to help them,” said Croteau.
Beran and Pavelka said their teammates have played a huge part in their adjustments to life in Canada.
Team leading scorer Ben Duffy is well liked by Beran and Pavelka.
“We like Ben Duffy, he has helped us a lot. He’s a great guy,” said Beran.
The players struggled early on, but once they start to know each other, the adjustment was very fast.
“I’m amazed at how fast Beran and Pavelka are adjusting. Pavelka can already speak some French and English,” said billet coordinator Lisa Savard.
