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Interview with Tobias Stephan

Written by: Joeri Loonen on 04/01/2002 Subscribe to HF's RSS Feed

Question: You didn´t play today against France - did you consider the French to be so weak that your team didn´t need you, or why else did coach Jakob Kölliker let Matthias Schoder play today?
Stephan: We´re neither arrogant towards the French team, nor do we consider it to be so weak. It´s just that both Matthias and I want to play and have to play for some time, and we´ve decided before the tournament that both of us will play at some time.
Question: So he would also have played today, if the opponent had been Canada or Russia?
Stephan: Yes.
Question: Now that you´ve beaten France you´ve definitely avoided to take part in the relegation round. Are you satisfied now, or do you aim for more?
Stephan: Even if we had lost today, we still would have a chance versus Russia tomorrow!
Question: But beating Russia is nothing to count on before...
Stephan: No, but now that we´ve won, we´re looking forward to facing the Russians, and then, next week, against other good teams.
Question: So you aim for a medal?
Stephan: Yes, that was our goal since the beginning of the tournament.
Question: You play for EHC Chur, a not-so-good team in Nationalliga A. Do you think you have more opportunities there to show how good you are?
Stephan: Yes, of course! I get more time to play there than I got in Kloten. I´m still young, and I think I still have time enough to play for a good team later, in few years.
Question: Do you have any plans about that?
Stephan: Not yet. As I said, I´m still young.
Question: And about the NHL?
Stephan: Let´s wait for the draft.
Question: Are you nominted for the draft?
Stephan: Not yet. Let´s wait and see. Of course, when going to a tournament like this, one always has in mind that the NHL team scouts are also here. But when standing on the ice, I don´t consider that, as then there are more important things to consider.
Question: So you think, playing in the NHL would be nice, but you could also be happy with just playing in the Swiss league?
Stephan: Yes, the NHL is a dream, but I would not be very sad if it would not come true.
Question: What´s your favourite team in the NHL?
Stephan: Hmmmm..... Los Angeles!
Question: And in Switzerland?
Stephan: EHC Chur! Of course!

Copyright 2002 Hockey’s Future. Do not reprint or otherwise duplicate without permission of the editorial staff.

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