He might be playing the game he loves in Europe, but that doesn't mean Jason Spezza isn't still highly engaged in the ongoing CBA negotiations.
Front and centre alongside his fellow NHLPA members before and during the owner-imposed lockout, Spezza, just days before he and his family were set to fly to Switzerland, where he'll suit up with Rapperswil-Jona, wanted to set the record straight.
While it has been implied in some circles that players who chose to skate in other leagues during the lockout don't have the support of their fellow NHLPA members, the veteran forward rebuffed the notion.
"People will always try and find a way to pick things apart, trying to create a rift," said Spezza, who is joined in Switzerland by Logan Couture (Geneva-Servette) and Rick Nash and Joe Thornton (HC Davos). "It couldn't be further than the truth. We are all together on this. Getting a fair deal done is the No. 1 thing for all of us. Anyone I've spoken with has been supportive of the choice to find a place to play."
The 29-year-old, coming off one of his strongest big-league seasons, is thrilled, but not surprised to see the unity between the players.
"We have a voice, every one of us," said the Mississauga native, who is averaging more than a point per contest over his 606-game big-league career. "We are better prepared than we've ever been. Don (NHLPA Executive Director, Fehr) is sharp. He's made our union a strong union, one that we can all be proud of. And the NHLPA has done a terrific job in keeping us all informed. Even if you are hundreds or thousands of miles away, there are so many ways in which you can keep up to date. That's something we're all grateful for.
"Throughout this whole process, I've seen a determined group that wants to find a way to make this league strong for years. That's all we want, a fair deal. I've talked to lots of guys who I've never talked to before and everyone is on the same page."
For now, Spezza will look to contribute to the success of Rapperswil-Jona. He'll also have time to spend with his young daughters, Sophia and Nicola.
"They keep me pretty busy, but I love being a dad," said Spezza. "Trust me, I could go on for hours about how happy they make me. Even when you lose a game, a tough loss, when you wake up the next day and those smiles are there to greet you, it's a welcome distraction from the intensity of the game."
Whether it's reading "five to six books a day" to his two-year-old Sophia, or spending time with Nicola (born this April), Spezza never seems to tire of his role.
"Every single day with them is great," he offered. "I love being a dad."
He'd also love to be playing hockey in Ottawa.
"We have great fans, people who just want to see us play. That's what we want, too. All of us want to be playing. We are looking for a fair deal…that's always been our goal."
Entertainment Plaza - TV, Movies, Sports, Music
http://members.shaw.ca/almosthuman99
Babe Of The Month
http://members.shaw.ca/almosthuman99/babeofthemonth.html
Hunk Of The Month
http://members.shaw.ca/almosthuman99/babeofthemonthman.html
No comments:
Post a Comment