Jaroslav Halak Interview

 

Justin Dahan (HV)

 

Justin Dahan: What does it mean to you to be selected as the starter for the Planet USA AHL All-Star game?

Jaroslav Halak: It’s a big honor, it’s my first all star game. I really appreciate I’m the starter, its great.

JD: Last year Yann Danis, your goaltending partner in Hamilton won the All-Star MVP, did he give you a heads up of what to expect?

JH: (laughs) No, he just told me to have fun, and enjoy the moment.

JD: Is he expecting you to bring home the MVP award?

JH: (laughs) It would be nice to bring it back, but all the players and all the goalies are really good so it’s going to be tough.

JD: Right now you lead the AHL in goals against average with 1.84. Do you focus on that?

JH: You know it’s nice to have good stats but nobody cares about that if you’re losing. I just try and win games and that’s it.

JD: Despite your great performance this year and your great stats you’ve been sharing goaltending duties with Yann Danis, does this bother you? Do you think you should get more starts?

JH: Sometimes he’s playing better and sometimes I’m playing better. We try and push each other a bit and it’s working out pretty well right now so far.

JD: Okay, thank you and good luck tonight.

JH: Thanks.

Jaroslav didn’t take home the All-Star MVP, which went to Brett Sterling who scored 2 goals and added an assist, but Halak was the best goalie in the game. He allowed only 2 goals on a total of 21 shots. He made a couple beautiful saves to help Planet USA defeat the Canadian All-Stars 6-5.

Photo: Jaroslav Halak © Richard Wolowicz (HV)