The Sheriff acknowledges his territory

The last question is for Kevin Klein a lot. The Chapter ice hockey had been completed for him, said the 34-Year-old. Now, he will, for the first time in 19 years in Canada and settle down. A lot of spend time with his family, with two sons, who are seven and ten.

The question is: "What has taught him to ice hockey?" "Everything," he says. "It has made me the person I am. It was my life since I was a little Boy." Then the tears shoot in his eyes. "But at the Moment it is hard," he says with a brittle voice. A sentence he brings out: "I have experienced much pain and much joy." He apologizes and walks away.

In last year's Playoff had played the main role. The bearded, burly defenders with the often grim view out the enemies fear and terror. Thanks to him, was patrolling on the ice as a Sheriff, was his ZSC-colleagues suddenly a head taller and played brave.

Klein was awarded the title of storm of rank 7 by the League as the most valuable player of the Playoff. And those weeks in which the Zurich played in a frenzy, brought about in him a change of Opinion: Actually, he had wanted to stop, but then he wrote again for a year.

"I would never say that I regret it"Kevin Small

And now? He regretted this decision? "No," he says. "I would never say that I regret it. You Know his decisions to the best, according to his feeling. It was wonderful to win the title. I enjoyed Switzerland, which has so much to offer. One of my sons who now speaks fluent English. It was a very exciting experience here. And I enjoyed the guys on the Team." Of course, he regrets the end. "But such is life."

The accusation that the Team was too frugal, Small do not apply. "We tried everything. We still had Meetings, tried this and that. Believe me: It's no Fun to come to the rink, if you have to do all the time. One does not intentionally. It is not funny when you play bad, of all the criticism. I don't understand German, and read no Newspapers. But the guys do it."

The two Regular Seasons in Zurich had been almost identical, from the beginning of a spasm, with a change of coach, says Small. With the small difference that this time no redress in the Playoff is more. Last Winter, picked up the ZSC Lions in qualifying 75 points, this time 74. This is a points lacked.

"Here, I had four Coaches in two years. I don't know if this is in Zurich normal. For me it was new."Kevin Small

not managed, But why it is this Team two Winter long, even close to his potential? "I think it's about identity," says Small. "Every team in this League can beat each other. And if you look at the successful Teams, you see that they have an identity. Your players know exactly what ice hockey is to play. And everyone knows his role and fills you with Pride. So we developed a team identity." The SCL Tigers and Ambri, the surprise guests in the Playoff, are the best examples of this.

Three Coaches in 13 NHL years, four in two-ZSC-seasons

In the case of the ZSC Lions had in these two years never the time, such an identity to develop. "Only in the Playoff we came together as a Team." For Small, it is clear to the reason. "It was a Coming and Going of the gang. Previously, I had in 13 Pro years, only three Coaches. Here, there were four in two years. I don't know if this is in Zurich normal. For me it was new."

In the case of Nashville and the New York Rangers Small had experienced from 2005 to 2017, no change of coach and only Barry trotz, and Alain Vigneault as Coaches. In Zurich, the orientation was absent, had the player almost a bit lost occurred.

"The environment must change", calls for Small. And he was willing, his view of the things the managers to inform if anyone interested. He had also to authorise the assistant coaches, Michael Liniger and Mathias Seger a couple of Beers to share with you his Knowledge, his experience. "I like you and wish you much success if you pursue a coaching career."

most Recently, he tried to force it with the crowbar

Most Valuable Player of the Playoffs in 2018 Kevin Klein #SIHAwards pic.twitter.com/oqsfza8xxg

— Swiss Ice Hockey (@Swiss icehockey) 3. August, 2018

It is no secret that Small had trouble with the dismissal of his compatriot Serge Aubin. You had the feeling that he was not then ready for a further change in the way of playing. Most recently, he tried it with the crowbar, he stormed again and again, with the Puck on floor to the front. He is the team player who was an important voice, and a mood-maker in the cabin, seemed to be on the ice at times as a single fighter.

Despite a stiff Neck, he was in the decisive match, in Geneva, again one of the Active and he scored the 2:2, that did nothing. He would want to play at the conclusion necessarily again in the Playoff and tried to force it with violence. It shouldn't be, the greater is his disappointment.

But he was looking forward to his new life, he says. He has Collingwood in the canadian province of Ontario, a Farm and a piece of land with 20 hectares of land. Small it may tackle craft-versed. In the case of the ZSC Lions, he built for the team bus a poker table. And the forging of knives and swords he has taught himself via Youtube.

With partners, he has also built in the vicinity of Toronto, a business in which he sells revamped vintage cars. "Because I'm going to work a few days a week. I'll learn everything, from the Work on the body up to the engine." The ice hockey is missing. But boring it is not likely to be him.

(Sunday newspaper)

Created: 14.03.2019, 18:07 PM