Seattle Kraken legend Vitek Vanecek relives his crazy week with team

After being selected by the Seattle Kraken in the 2021 Expansion Draft, Vitek Vanecek was surprised to say the least. Vanecek picked up most of the starts in goal for the Washington Capitals last season after Henrik Lundqvist was deemed out for the year with a heart issue and Ilya Samsonov was diagnosed with COVID-19 early in the season.

«I mean, it was crazy you know?» Vanecek said to the press Friday after the Capitals' second on-ice day of Training Camp. «You start thinking about it. You've been here for long time, six years. You've been working hard with me here and I was just drafted by Seattle. I was thinking like it was something new. New people and a new start. But it was quick comeback. [smiles] I was so happy I can be back with people that I know. The organization was great, you know?»

Vanecek did have a feeling that he could be traded after the Kraken signed former Avalanche goaltender Philipp Grubauer to a contract.

«I know that when they signed Grubauer,» Vanecek said. «I asked my agent what we need to do. He told me, 'Maybe you will be traded.' I said, 'Okay.' He said, 'just wait, you can't do anything.' It was just waiting. Then [Seattle] called me at 2 AM. They wake me up and I traded back to Washington. After seven days I was back!»

Vanecek was never in Seattle, but he did consider sending a prized possession to Seattle in order to prepare to live there. At the time, the 25-year old was in the Czech Republic.

«No. I was never there. I was in Czech. I was just thinking to send my car over there. I was close to that but I didn't send that so that was good.»

Apparently multiple teams were asking about the young goalie, and Vanecek had no clue that he would be returning to Washington.

«[Seattle] didn't tell me which team so I didn't know that,» Vanecek said. «They didn't tell me. Maybe four teams asking about me. They didn't tell me who. They just let me know I was traded back to Washington.»

Vanecek never even got a Kraken jersey or anything, but he did start on a Seattle Kraken themed mask.

"Yeah I already talked to that guy and he started doing that,» Vanecek said, referencing mask painter Dave Gunnarsson. «He has to stop it. So»

Vanecek is happy to be back with his original team, almost as if nothing ever even happened. He is also excited to be able to battle with Samsonov once again.

«We are just pushing each other in a good way,» Vanecek said. «I feel like who will play better will play. I'm happy that I can be with him here because he's a good guy and we talking, it's really fun with him. We will just push each other.»

russianmachineneverbreaks.com

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