Before the second match at the World Cup in Switzerland, the goalkeeper unexpectedly dropped out due to health problems Samuel Hlavaj (24)who held the Slovaks in the first match against the Norwegians (2:1). Adam Gajan (22) took his place. Our second goalkeeper performed excellently and picked up wins against Italy (4:1) and a raid lottery against Slovenia (5:4 pp and sn). For now he spoke, which was behind his two-game absence.
After the opening match at the tournament in Switzerland he was knocked out of the game by a sudden fever accompanied by severe chills, for which he even had to go into isolation and expel his representative roommate Adam Sýkora (21) from his room for one night. “I sweated one night and now everything is fine. I’ve already been training, so I’m fit,” he reassured fans on Thursday, denying any speculation about a lingering intestinal virus.
Hlavaj highly appreciates the performances of his substitute and the entire rejuvenated team. “Adam (Gajan) great. It wasn’t easy matches for him, but he handled it excellently.” evaluated with respect and added that the team’s goal is clearly to advance to the quarterfinals.
However, in addition to the national team duties, the talented goalkeeper also has to deal with the fundamental question of his club future. After the season, his contract with the Minnesota Wild ended definitively, and both parties agreed not to sign a new contract. Hlavaj thus found himself on the free agent market and he is waiting for other offers, but he has a fairly clear idea about his further hockey destiny.
Although he is currently without a club, a return to European rinks is not high on his plans. “I’d like to stay overseas. That’s my priority,” he concluded determinedly.
