Kaláber: We want to play very offensively so that the fans can have fun

HOKEJ.NET: – The first dozen or so days of on-ice preparation are behind you. What were they like, and how does the coach assess the tested Lukash Matthews?

Róbert Kaláber: "I'll talk about the entire group, not about individual players. The first week was an introductory exercise. I don't want to say we spared the players, but we did basic exercises on coordination on the ice: skating and working with the stick and puck. That's what we were most interested in, so it's too early to evaluate the players. But I think that in about two weeks, after the first friendlies, we'll be evaluating the players who are on trial, and the same goes for our players who are working and contracted in Oświęcim."

A new feature in Oświęcim is sometimes two on-ice practices a day. Is this to help the players understand the new playing philosophy under your leadership?

"We have a lot of work ahead of us because we have a practically new team. We have a dozen or so new players. We're building a team, and we want it to have quality not just on paper, but also on the pitch. The foundation is the players' physical preparation, which must be at the right level. My players need to be fit not only for the start of the season, but also for the entire season, which is tough. We have to work to be tactically sound in the same matches, so that's why we have two training sessions a day."

What's the game plan? Should the team create plays or play more on the counterattack?

"Should I tell the opponent something? We want to be strong on the puck, play with it more. At home, we want to play very offensively, very physically, and score a lot of goals and concede few. I want the fans to enjoy our game."

There are a lot of new players in the team, is it possible to play for the Polish Cup and Championship in the first season or do you have to approach it gradually?

"Sure, we definitely need to approach this gradually, because we have a lot of new players. Some might "strike" sooner, others later. It will definitely be easier for the five players I worked with at Jastrzębie. I worked with them for one season, so they know what's expected of them, what they should play, and how to behave on and off the court. I'm happy that on paper we have a good-quality team, but we also want to create a hockey family. We want the team to feel good and not just win games by chance, but to be able to win in streaks. We will build a team that strives for victory."

Many young players are training with the first team. Do they have a chance of playing, or is this more of a long-term prospect?

"There are a few players who have a chance. But most of them are work in progress. They need to be prepared for this level. However, we have a good level of comfort and plenty of time to prepare. We want to show them what it takes to play in the top league with a strong team. Some have a season in the SMS, some two. But they will be more physically prepared for the game. They need to adapt to the new reality, to better players, and reach a higher level, especially physically."

Will young goalkeeper Igor Tyczyński get some chances in league matches? Things have been mixed in previous seasons.

"I'm not interested in previous seasons. We know what happened last season when Lundin got injured in the semifinals. That's why we always want to have a second goalie ready to play. Linus is the number one goalie, and nothing will change there, and the second goalie will get minutes to show they're ready for the playoffs if there's a problem with the starting goalie. Tyczyński is an extremely ambitious goalie, and that's what won me over. He's not only a goalie, but he wants to compete. You can tell he loves hockey. And in recent years, I've enjoyed having a young Polish goalie who gets his chance to play."

Why did the coach decide to work in Oświęcim? Were there any other job offers?

"After the World Championships in Ostrava, there were many more offers, but I decided to stay with the Polish national team, and therefore in Poland. Now Jastrzębie has a reduced budget, which isn't the biggest problem, and I agreed to that. However, when the ice rink renovations came into play, and it's still unclear when they will begin or end, I started to have second thoughts. I received an offer from Unia, thought everything through, and decided to change clubs. It's in my DNA that I don't like losing, and it's very difficult for me. And winning this season against JKH GKS Jastrzębie and Unia Oświęcim makes a huge difference. We're building a really strong team; of course, everything is still on paper, but we'll do everything to translate the quality from paper to the field. Jastrzębie is supposed to be introducing its youth players to the top league this season, or even two. And Oświęcim wants to fight for the highest goals, and that's what made me come to this city."

Interviewer: Mikołaj Hoder