HCD Turbo Transfer Jurco: “The craziest 24 hours of my career”

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Tomas Jurco stands in front of the HCD wardrobe and grins. His joy still masks his fatigue, says the new Davos player. Sports director Jan Alston initially signed the Slovakian for a month and thus responded to the absences (Rasmussen, Corvi, Fora, Dominik Egli). The Canadian can only be amazed by this turbo transfer. And Jurco puts it this way: “Those were the craziest 24 hours of my career.”

On Monday morning, Alston and HCD coach Josh Holden had their first contact with Jurco via video call. The parties agree. The ex-NHL striker (Vegas, Edmonton, Chicago, Detroit) assures that he has remained fit in his home country. Last season, Jurco played in the KHL for Chinese representative Kunlun Red Star.

Hardly slept because of excitement

Then he turns down offers from KHL. The second-round draft pick (2011 by Detroit) was once considered a major talent but continues to battle injury issues and has not played a full season since 2014-15. Alston is still convinced that the 30-year-old can help the team in the current situation.

The contract was signed on the eve of the match against champion Geneva. And then they begin, Jurco’s craziest 24 hours. He packs his things in Kosice. “I had to get up at three in the morning. Although,” the national player admits, “I hardly slept because I was so excited.”

He goes to the airport at four o’clock. From Kosice he flies via Vienna to Zurich. It will be picked up in Kloten. “I was hoping I would be able to sleep in the car on the drive to Davos.” He grins again. “The view was too beautiful, and then came all the turns.”

Joined the team during warm-up

Arriving in Davos after lunch, the 2022 Olympic bronze medalist will eat something before going to sleep. It was only at 5 p.m. that it became clear that Jurco could play against Servette. The transfer of the player’s license is then arranged. When did he first see his new teammates? “On the ice during the warm-up before the game.”

It is clear to him that he really wants to play despite the special circumstances. Because he needs match training and wants to push for an extension of his commitment. “If a club like Davos, which you know from TV with its beautiful ice rink from the Spengler Cup, shows interest, you should seize this opportunity.” What was he thinking before the first confrontation? “That I just have to get through this match somehow.” In his thirteen minutes of ice time, Jurco showed his attacking qualities several times.

When the Slovak recapped his day after the 7-2 win against Geneva, he continued to shake his head in disbelief. Jarco only has to leave his fiancée – “she wants the mountains here” – at home because everything has to happen so quickly. “Maybe she didn’t even notice I was gone,” he jokes before returning to his new dressing room.

Source : Blick