Your first coach was your father. Apparently, he made the now famous ice surface right behind your house for you. What are your memories of your beginnings?
My memories are wonderful. I think that every hockey player remembers his beginnings. Especially because my father and grandfather made that ice surface for me. So it was logical that my father would be my first coach. My beginnings were not that hard, especially under such circumstances. I have really beautiful memories of that time.

Looking back today, have you ever imagined that you would have such a career? Did you ever dream about this?
Although hard to imagine, it definitively was a dream for me. I always wanted to play hockey, but I probably did not believe that I could play on such level as I do today. Back then, hockey was, and it still is, my greatest love, and that will never change. And playing on such level is only an additional bonus.

You came to NHL from a small state of Slovenia, at the time a relatively unknown country in the world of hockey. What was the hardest step you had to make?
There was definitely more than one step I had to take. One of the hardest moments was when I was 16 and moved to Sweden all by myself. It was really hard to leave home. But I think playing hockey was in my nature and I always knew that I could come home if something would not turn out as planned.

All this was probably also due to the fact that you had a coach-trainee relationship with your father? Does he still give you advice?
Of course. It was great, especially in the beginning. He helped me a lot and he still does, mostly with my physical training. But, of course, we also talk about other things in hockey, if the need be.

You brought the Stanley Cup to Slovenia for display twice, but this year your team did not make it to the playoffs. Were you very disappointed?
As it usually is, the disappointment was strong, especially because we had already won the trophy and we know what it means and how it feels. After that, everything except winning and taking a trophy comes as a disappointment.

Hockey was once the number one (team) sport in Slovenia. Today, the circumstances are different. How do you, as someone from the outside, see the situation with the Slovenian hockey and hockey clubs?
The situation with hockey clubs is certainly not great, but I hope things will turn for the better and that the Slovenian hockey will create new inspiring stories. Hockey is currently in decline in Slovenia, but I really hope things will change to the better.

Slovenians like to say that sport is an important part of their national identity. It is indeed exceptional that Slovenia, a nation of two million, qualified for all major international competitions in team sports (hockey, football, basketball, handball, volleyball etc.). Even in individual sports, the results are incredible. How do you, as part of these success stories, see all this?
I think we really are some kind of a phenomenon in the field of sports. Having so many Olympic, world and European champions, the fact that our football team qualified for the World and European Championships, and also our achievements in hockey are truly unbelievable in terms of population numbers. Of course, it would not be possible without the amazing support of our fans, and we can only thank them for their support.

What inspires you in Slovenia, how do you feel Slovenia?
Slovenia is and will always be my home. I come here to recharge my batteries. It is very relaxing and pleasant; for me, time stops here.

What are your plans for the future? Can you set even higher goals?
Higher goals are definitively possible. One of them is to win the Stanley Cup again, and that is not just one more time. Although some goals are difficult to reach, everything is possible with a strong character and a team spirit.