Nikolas Ketner: “The wait for the season was long, so I went into it full throttle.”

The Player of the Month for September in RAHL 1 is Black Jokers forward Nikolas Ketner. He put in excellent performances at the start of the season, racking up 16 points (9 goals and 7 assists) over the course of the month. In the interview he revealed what is behind his form, how he rates the mood on the team and what he wishes for from the current season.

1. You collected 16 points in September. How do you explain form like that?

Nikolas: “The wait for the season was long, so I went into it full throttle. My teammates help me to a large extent, and I needed to switch to winter tires :D.”

2. 9 goals in one month really is a lot. Did you prepare for the current season in some special way for things to be going this well?

Nikolas: “I started playing padel; it seemed like ideal preparation for the season. Last year I underestimated that, and it showed in my conditioning.”

3. How would you describe the mood on the Black Jokers team after a successful start to the season?

Nikolas: “The mood is excellent, and it shows in our results and our overall game too.”

4. You tend to show up to games with fewer players than your opponents. Do you think that helps you win games?

Nikolas: “It doesn’t help; that’s probably our biggest weakness. There are games when we’d need a full complement of players and enough energy. The game would look completely different then.”

5. What result will you be happy with after the season?

Nikolas: “I’ll be happy when we make the playoffs and play as many tough games there as possible; after all, when the pressure is on you, those games are on a completely different level. I’ll be happiest when I can go into the next season at full strength.”

Nikolas Ketner confirmed that his excellent performances are no accident. On the ice he is showing that he still has his energy after the summer break and has not lost his appetite for the game. Add to that great chemistry with his teammates, and the opponent’s defense can tremble before the Black Jokers attack. The Black Jokers team is riding a winning wave, but Ketner openly admits that a deeper roster would help them in some games. His goal is clear, though: advancing to the playoffs and as many tough games as possible. If he keeps his form, Black Jokers could be among the most unpleasant opponents in the league this season.

The Player of the Month gets a €50 voucher from our partner WILD THING and, thanks to partner LMTAuto.sk, will have his car perfectly cleaned. Diamant Sóda will take care of keeping him hydrated, to the value of €50. From league partner LEGIA fitness they get 5 free visits to the gym, where the player can keep working on his form. Thanks to SuperFanúšik, the Player of the Month receives a voucher worth €200 for an NHL trip. From Hokejove Veci they get a 25% discount on hockey equipment purchases.