David Krejci Thinks Czechs Can Win Gold in Vancouver

David Krejci remembers cramming into an auditorium at his school as an 11-year old boy in Sternberk, Czech Republic, to watch Dominik Hasek and the 1998 Czech Olympic hockey team.

They beat Canada in a shootout to advance to the gold-medal game and then went on to shut out Russia 1-0, sending Czechs back home into delirium. Krejci also remembers the heroes' welcome the Czech players got when they returned home.

"I remember Nagano and [how] when they got back, people [waited] for [them], and [there were] lines from the airport to the street. … That was the first memory of the Olympics for me," Krejci recalled before leaving for Vancouver. "There was overtime against Canada, and we all got to leave class and watch it in a big room, and we won it. It was crazy!

"But even crazier was when they won the gold," he continued. "They had screens set up outside everywhere, and there was just craziness. So many people partying and celebrating."

The world championships are a big deal in the Czech Republic as well, but the Olympics, especially after 1998, have become the pinnacle of hockey for the Czechs. Krejci is proud to be an NHLer, and he was honored to don his country's colors at the 2008 worlds in Quebec City, but playing for his native land at these Olympics is simply a dream come true.

"It is the No. 1 sport back home, and people talk about Olympics for a long time there." Krejci said. "It is really nice for us Czech guys that people are supporting us and watching us at 4 in the morning. They respect us and the game so much. There is so much pride involved. To be part of this and make them proud means so much to me. I always wanted to play for a national team, and I got to do it at the world championships, but this is way bigger."

At the world championships, Krejci was a bit overwhelmed playing with some players he grew up watching and idolizing, specifically Jaromir Jagr, who is treated like royalty in the Czech Republic. But Krejci will be doing the same in Vancouver. And while he is excited to be on a team with an all-time great, Krejci is looking forward to forging bonds on the ice with the likes of Jagr, Patrik Elias and Martin Havlat.

"I think that experience in Quebec City, the world championships, I was a bit nervous and in awe. But now I am comfortable and know I am good enough to be with these players," Krejci acknowledged. "I just want to go there, find chemistry and play my game."

Does he think his team has a chance against the likes of heavy favorites like Canada and Russia?

"It's a short tournament, and no one gave that '98 team a chance, but Hasek was huge and we won," Krejci said. "Anything can happen, and we have another good goalie in [Tomas] Vokoun and of course Jagr, so we will be good."