Bondra hoping to make more history

Originally published on IHWC.NET in 2003

By Lucas Aykroyd

Peter Bondra has scored many spectacular goals during his 13-year NHL career with the Washington Capitals. But few could rival the laser bullet he put past Russian goaltender Maxim Sokolov to give Slovakia its first hockey gold medal ever at the 2002 IIHF World Championships in Sweden. The fleet 35-year-old right wing hasn’t enjoyed such a smooth ride in the American capital this year, seeing his goal production drop to its lowest level in three seasons after notching 45 tallies in 2000-01 and 35 in 2001-02. Nursing a sore back down the stretch, Bondra was hoping for a nice post-season run with the team he calls the “best he’s seen in Washington in 13 years” when IHWC.NET caught up with him in Vancouver in late March. Surrounded by new teammates and new coaches, this guy could simply shrug his shoulders and opt out of the program. But that’s not Bondra’s style. He is committed to winning, whether in the NHL or at the Worlds, and he made that abundantly clear in this interview.

IHWC.NET: In terms of your own play, what’s changed this year compared to the previous two seasons?

Peter Bondra: Well, things have changed overall around Washington. I would say I’ve definitely played better defensively than I was two or three years ago. It’s not always the goals that tell you how well you’re playing. If the coach puts you on the penalty kill at certain times of the game when they need it, you definitely gain trust from the way you play. That’s been happening for me lately. Before, I was probably the main guy to go on the first line, but now my role has changed a little bit and I have to accept. If I can chip in defensively to help the team win, I’ll be right there.

IHWC.NET: Is there one main reason Jaromir Jagr has had a tough time living up to people’s expectations in Washington?

Bondra: I think he’s playing better. He’s our best player. He’s our leader and we follow his lead. It’s not always necessary for him to score 50 goals or 150 points. His whole line, when Jags is healthy, has been playing good, and they’ve led us to a lot of wins. Hopefully we can help him out, with everybody else stepping up and doing their job.

IHWC.NET: What’s impressed you the most about Robert Lang’s contribution as a newcomer to the Caps?

Bondra: He’s very good and patient on the power play. He’s fit well with the Jagr line.

IHWC.NET: You’re getting close to a milestone for Slovak players, just three goals off Peter Stastny’s career NHL total (450). What does that mean to you?

Bondra: It’s a number. I hope I’m not getting ready to retire, and I hope I’m going to get those goals! But it’s nice. Anytime somebody puts you in the mix with the name Peter Stastny, you have to be impressed. It feels good. But I’m not done yet, and I’m still aiming to win a Cup with Washington.

IHWC.NET: Have you had a chance to talk with Stastny about the record?

Bondra: I don’t think we’ve talked about that. Like I said, I believe my success in the NHL is going to be measured by how well we do in the playoffs. If you win, then you’re recognized as having done something for a team. Five or six years ago we went to the finals, and I’d give all my goals to get there again and use my experience for that.

[Note: Bondra achieved two milestones when he scored twice in a 5-3 season-closing win over the Pittsburgh Penguins on April 5. He passed Stastny with his 450th and 451st tallies and also became Washington’s all-time leading scorer with 790 points in 13 seasons, surpassing Mike Gartner’s mark of 789.)

IHWC.NET: It’s been almost a year since Slovakia won the gold medal at the World Championships. What are your memories of that run?

Bondra: They’re all nice memories! I take a lot of pride in playing for my country, every time I put the colors on. It’s amazing. I had a great time over there, and it’s something I’m never going to forget. After we won, we came back to our country and everybody was so excited about it. We made history for our country. We proved to ourselves and to everybody else in the world that we have a good hockey team. I am really proud of it.

IHWC.NET: You didn’t leave any question about whether Slovakia should be considered one of the true top hockey nations in the world.

Bondra: We made a statement there, I can definitely say that. To look at our roster, we had a lot of good players there. It was a lot of fun. Hopefully something will happen to us at the Olympics, if we still get to participate. I believe we have good enough players to compete with Team Canada and the USA and Russia and the Czechs. We should be there.

IHWC.NET: If things don’t work out for the Caps in the playoffs, would you consider joining Slovakia for the 2003 tournament in Finland?

Bondra: It’s tough to discuss. My goal is to play as long as I can with my team in the playoffs. I want the chance to win the Stanley Cup. But as I said, I always take pride in performing for the national team.