Patrik Valcak aiming to take on leading man status for Leeds Chiefs

BUILDING UP: Patrik Valcak admits he will need a handful of games to get back up to speed on the ice but is determined to help Leeds Chiefs make the NIHL National playoffs. Picture courtesy of Dean Woolley.

Leeds Chiefs still got time on their side to reach NIHL National playoffs

The next couple of weekends will see the former Manchester Storm star gradually building up his ice time as he adjusts back to playing and training on a regular basis.

And, once he is back up to full speed, he intends to take on a leading role for the Chiefs and spearhead a late push for the NIHL National playoffs.”

“The next couple of weekends will see me back up to full strength,” said Valcak, who picked up a couple of assists over the weekend.

“It’s not really about being in shape because I’ve been keeping myself in shape, it’s more about the hockey side of things having been away from it for about 18 months.

“I was already feeling better period by period over the weekend and I enjoyed being back out there, I had really been looking forward to it .

“I’m confident we can make the playoffs. I’m here to help the team win games. Over the next three or four games I want to be stepping up my minutes, help run the power play and be their No 1 player, leading the team’s push for the playoffs.

IMPRESSED: Leeds Chiefs' player-coach, Sam Zajac.

“They have some very good skilled players and, hopefully, I can bring something extra to the play. It is a very good locker room, a good bunch of guys, so that really helps. I’m looking forward to playing at the new arena in front of the fans.”

A fourth round and 129th overall pick for the Boston Bruins in the 2003 NHL draft, Valcak never got to play in the world’s highest-rated league, instead returning to Europe in 2004 where he went on to play in several countries, including Finland, France, Slovakia and Poland.

He briefly returned to North America to play in the ECHL before opting for his first taste of life in the UK by spending two years across the Pennines with Manchester in the Elite League.

While at Altrincham, Valcak prospered under then player-coach Omar Pacha – now in charge at Dundee Stars – posting 69 points, including 22 goals – in 109 games.

A short stint in the UAE with Dubai Mighty Camels followed before he stepped away from the game to pursue other interests in his adopted city of Manchester, where he has remained since leaving the Storm in the summer of 2017.

But he is clearly happy to be back playing, a feeling shared by his new coach, Sam Zajac, who was delighted to get the deal done.

“I liked what we saw from Patrik at the weekend,” said Zajac. “When he gets up to full speed he is going to be really effective – but with him having not played for so long, we used him sparingly at times over the weekend.

“He’s an imposing figure and has got a good hockey head on his shoulders and he’s great on face-offs which will be a big help for us.

“He’s been good in the room already – very vocal – so I believe he’ll be a big leader for us on and off the ice and a good, all-round fit.”