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Q&A with Marian Gaborik

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Posted: Saturday June 24, 2000 08:41 PM

Marian Gaborik , 18, went third overall to the Minnesota Wild. A 6-1, 183-pound left winger, Gaborik is gifted athletically and considered a complete, two-way player.

Q: How do you feel about playing for an NHL expansion team?
A: I'm happy to be in Minnesota because it's a new club. I hope I will play there, in the NHL, next year.

Q: Unlike some of your countrymen, you chose not to play junior in North America. Why?
A: I stayed in Slovakia because it was a good experience for me. We had a good season as a club. The Sedins stayed in Europe too. The Swedish league is excellent. They did better to stay in Sweden that to go play junior. I know what I will do if I don't make the team.

Q: Can you talk about your style of play?
A: My game is skating. Speed is an important part of my game. I make a lot of goals with my speed.

Q: Who do you compare yourself to?
A: I like Pavel Bure and Peter Bondra because they are excellent skaters and good goalscorers. It will be very good to play against them some day.

Q: Your English is good for someone who has never lived in North America. How did you learn English?
A: In school. I know German too.

 

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