“It wasn’t easy to get approval”

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Nearly 15 hours have passed since landing in Riga when Kevin Fiala spoke for the first time about his first World Cup adventure in four years. Shortly before midnight on Sunday, he moved into his hotel room, which he shares with Gaëtan Haas. At breakfast he met all his teammates. His arrival was eagerly awaited, the past two weeks have not been easy for Uzwil SG’s NHL star forward.

The reason: Fiala suffered a knee injury shortly before the start of the playoffs and had to take a break. “I wanted to return as soon as possible. I succeeded after a good rehabilitation. But then we quickly flew out of the play-offs, too quickly,” says the 26-year-old. Which would actually mean that the Swiss could have packed his bags after a mandatory exit meeting and immediately found his way to the national team.

But talks with the LA Kings must have been tough. Fiala does not want to reveal any details. Only so much: “Getting approval wasn’t easy.” Discussions revolved around his injury and the continued risk of it breaking out again. For the player himself, there was always no doubt that he would join the national team. “Switzerland is a small country. We have never reached our big World Cup goal. That’s why it’s so important for us NHL players to get to the national team as soon as possible.” He doesn’t say the golden word, even later when asked what he thinks this team is capable of here in Riga.

Playful and human matured

Since his last World Cup appearance in 2019 and the acrimonious quarter-final out – Canada equalized 0.4 seconds from time to win in extra time – Fiala has developed as a player. “I’ve had a few good seasons.” Which is almost an understatement. He averaged almost one point per game. Last season with the Minnesota Wild was the best year of his career with 85 points from 82 games.

Before his move to Los Angeles, the Kings gave him a seven-year contract with season earnings of $7.8 million. “That was a challenge. It’s never easy to start playing well in a new team. But I did it. I always hope to get better every year.”

And also as a person, the NHL star has matured. Fiala married his longtime Swedish girlfriend Jessica last summer and the couple had a dream wedding on the coast of Spain. With her, he is now living the NHL dream in California – including a beach villa with an ocean view. His self-confidence as a player is just right, the East Swiss wants – and can – also take responsibility in the national team.

Reunion of Fiala, Niederreiter and Corvi?

He recorded six points (1 goal, 5 assists) in the three playoff games against Edmonton that he was able to play after his injury break. Fiala now wants to build on this achievement. “I want to use my offensive as much as possible.” After the optimal start of the tournament for the national team, he also realized that he had to adapt, “but I am very motivated”. Whether there will be a reunion of the glorious line with Fiala, Nino Niederreiter and Enzo Corvi at the 2018 World Cup silver in Copenhagen is still open. “I don’t care either,” says Fiala, “I don’t think that far.”

But national coach Patrick Fischer, who has of course been working on the lines for a long time. He leaves it open whether he will reunite this trio again. However, he mentions that Fiala and Denis Malgin have already played together in the ZSC juniors. Fischer’s first impression of successor Fiala? “He’s got a good tan from LA,” he says with a smile. And sporty?

Fischer leaves no doubt what will benefit his side, with the arrival of Fiala and, from Thursday’s game against Slovakia, also Nico Hischier and Jonas Siegenthaler of the New Jersey Devils. “The trio makes us even more dangerous.” The head coach testifies to Fiala’s playfulness, speed and scoring ability. Hischier is a smart leader, Siegenthaler continues to stabilize the strong defense. “These qualities give the team even more confidence.”

Source : Blick