Eurolanche

Czech announcer remembers on 2001

“It is still the top of my career,” starts Jan Velart, born in 1978 in Prague, Czech Republic. Jan is one of the most famous TV announcers in the country and in Slovakia too. He got unbelievable chance from his employer in 2001 – be in the USA for the entire final series. “It was the alone season when the Czech channel Galaxie Sport did not get rights for the broadcasting of the NHL. I went to the new-founded Sport 1. It existed only one year, but had big budget at the start. I and the producer were sent to the States. We hired there cameraman and the gaffer. We spent 14 days there. It could cost over 30 000 USD.”

Jan was at the start of his great career of the ice hockey play-by-play announcer. He was only 23 when he came to the Pepsi Center and could see one of the greatest team in the history. “Pepsi Center is modern sports arena. It has everything important. There was better atmosphere than in New Jersey. Their old arena was not modern as in Denver,” said Velart. “I accidentally tear my accreditation before the start of the game 7. The 11-year old son of the former Swedish player Tommy Albelin gave me his because he could not attend the game.”

It was the dream trip of all journalists from Europe. Jan met all Avalanche and Devils players. He interviewed Czech players of course, but also Rob Blake, Adam Foote and other players. His countryman, young player Vaclav Nedorost, visited all games like the rest of young prospects. They should felt the atmosphere in person. “Vaclav commented one game with me. But then Pierre Lacroix prohibited it,” Jen remembered. He experienced also one negative experience. “After the game 7 I left the restaurant with a beer. I saw group of fans who celebrated. I waved them with a beer in my hand. Policeman on a horse though I am drunk. He knocked out the beer of my hand and pushed me forward. The horse stepped on my foot. It hurt.”

Jan Velart broadcasts average 82 games per year on the Czech channel Nova Sport (renamed Galaxie Sport). He would hit the 100^th mark this season. Totally, he has had almost 1000 games behind him. It is easy to guess what game from this list has the highest value for him. But how he sees the current Avs team? “They surprised. Nobody counted they would fight for the playoffs at the end of the season. Gabriel Landeskog will probably win the Calder Trophy. He is a complex player. Semyon Varlamov had solid the second half of the season. Ryan O´Reilly and Erik Johnson surprised,” said. But what about the future? “It will be important to have healthy Duchene. He has potential get 90 points. The team will fight for the 8^th spot. The basis is on the goalie and two young centers. The team is young. Management will be looking for some experienced players. They will not get 105 points, but could reach 95. It will take 2-3 years when this team would be one of the favorites.”

Source of photos: Private archive of Jan Velart, Denver 2001.