1999/2000 - MY FIRST CRISIS - ON THE UNDER-18 NATIONAL TEAM - This was the first season that I played at the center position, and my mate was usually Jun. The whole season was really bad. Whether considering my technique, or the number of points scored, it was all a pretty miserable experience. This bad season probably had its origin at the first national team camp of the season. In August, we played an Under-18 tournament in Trebic. I had never missed anything on the national team before, but now they threw me away! Though I accept the truth that I did not play fantastic hockey, I hid a feeling of injustice over the situation. We played three games against the U.S. team. I was no good in the first game, so I was sidelined in the second game as punishment. In the third game, however, we won 6-4 and I scored a goal and had two assists. My line, with Palice and Lukes, scored five out of the six goals. Right after the game, Ales Pavlas and I were sent home. I was really pissed off.

Mr. Stanislav Berger coached the Under-18 team, and initially, I was not iced while we were shorthanded. Then, he let me play once shorthanded; I even scored a goal during this shift! Yet, I did not play shorthanded again, and did not play hardly at all. When the period ended, he gave me a dressing down, telling me that I had played badly. In addition, I did not like the way he led our practices. He coached me from the Under-16 to the Under-18 teams, and I noticed that I was not the only player with whom he did not fit well. I present, as evidence, the Under-20 National team. There are only a very few players from amongst Mr. Berger's selections. Psychologically, this camp put me down a great deal. I attended every one of the later training camps with the national team that season. I played, but not as well as I expected. The culmination of this awful season was the 6th place finish at the Under-18 World Championships in Zurich & Kloten. It was the worst placement in Czech and Czechoslovakian hockey history. I believe it ended this way because it had been taking shape to do so all season. We did not play collectively as a team, and I also had a bad feeling about my own performance. I played more and more games that season, but the camp in Trebic was difficult to forget, and I could not improve to a good level. I did not have any additional problems, but the improvement I expected did not happen.

SCHOOL - BASICS OF LIFE III - At the end of my junior year, I played for the "A" team, and I told myself that I would not punish myself any longer. I stopped going to school. My parents felt bad about it, but eventually they understood. I didn't attend school for a year and three-quarters, and I did not miss it. Yes, I was bored sometimes, and sometimes I had 'black ideas' that I would not get maturita, but that was rare. When my mum was in a bad mood, she argued with me, saying that I only lay around the house, and that she wanted me to get part-time work, or study English. She could not convince me to do that, however. Sometimes, I was annoyed about doing nothing, and I said to myself, "If there is some way I can make maturita, I will do it!" One woman that our family knew helped us find the best situation in which I could reach maturita, and I discovered that there was a chance. So now I attend the so-called "Evening School" every Thursday from 3pm to 8pm, where I study public service activity. I have about 10 subjects, and the composition is similar to that of high school. My past studies counted for my sophomore year, but there are four more years left for me. I am very motivated to try and make maturita if I stay here. I just want to hop to it! I go there alone, and it was my independent decision to go back to school.

1999/2000 - A PROFESSIONAL CONTRACT FOR NEXT TO NOTHING - At the end of the 1998/99 season, Kladno was afraid that I would leave. So, I had to sign my first professional contract. It was for only 3,000 crowns a month, and it was valid for three years. Basically, I was forced to sign it because I knew they might not let me play, and I would get into trouble with management. That's the way life goes in hockey. I do not think it's worse in Kladno than anywhere else concerning this matter. I signed the deal two days after receiving their offer. I received my first contract offer before my sophomore year. There was interest in me from Karlovy Vary, who offered 2,000 crowns monthly (This was not considered a professional contract), and I almost decided to go there. Before accepting this offer, I consulted one guy I trust a lot, and he advised me to stay in Kladno. At that point, it looked like hockey might end soon in Kladno, and Karlovy Vary had a team where I could catch on. Eventually, my consultant's authority prevailed and I stayed in Kladno. I definitely do not regret doing so.

DECEMBER 2000 - WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONS! - Now, over the course of time, I don't think that we became super huge friends there, but at that moment, we were able to behave like we were friends. We did not often talk or do things together while we were there.There were several groups. I still exchange emails with Nedorost, Vrbata, and guys from the Extraliga. I think that we all wish each other success. We follow how the rest of the team is playing, and wish them all the best. At the end of this Under-20 Championship, I recognized what national pride is. When the game was live on national television, when the people sent us their emails of support, and when they cheered us on, I felt a lot of national pride inside. I was so proud to be a Czech. I am convinced this original feeling will never lesson, and I will feel this pride in the national jersey forever.