Christian Dvorak was used to aspiring to great honors. Normal when you wear the colors of the London Knights, one of the most decorated junior programs since the turn of the century.
As part of the Hunter brothers’ team, he capped his junior career by winning the Memorial Cup. The same season, he won the bronze medal at the World Junior Hockey Championship with the American team.
Since then, nothing. Or almost. In eight full NHL campaigns, the number of significant games he has played remains quite slim.
“I’ve only been to the playoffs once and that was during the COVID season,” said Dvorak, who spent the first five seasons of his career in Arizona.
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A season stopped in the middle and at the end of which we had expanded the scope of the spring tournament to accommodate 24 teams. Does it really matter?
“It was difficult sometimes. Nobody likes to lose, he said a few hours before the match against the Wings. It was difficult mentally knowing that your season is over after the 82nd game. »
Still there despite the injuries
We can say that for nearly 500 games (he will play his 500th against the Red Wings), the 28-year-old center ate his black bread. But the way things are currently going under the blue, white and red skies, the tide could finally be turning.
“Being part of the playoff race makes things so much more enjoyable. You feel the energy of the crowd, you see how much the fans are into it. And when you see what the guys deploy game after game, you understand that there is a lot at stake. »
It’s not just the lack of meaningful matches that has undermined Dvorak’s morale over the years. Along the way, he suffered his share of injuries. Some forced him into long periods of inactivity, as was the case over the past two winters.
-In March 2023, he underwent knee surgery. He had to skip the last 18 games of the season and the first 10 of the following season. Then, a torn pectoral major, suffered in December of the same year, forced him to miss 42 games.
“It brings several things into perspective,” he said. I feel grateful [d’être encore ici]. It’s a very special player for the Canadian. I try to savor this opportunity as much as possible every day. »
A new role
This recognition certainly made it easier for him to accept the role that Martin St-Louis had for him. An offensive player by nature, Dvorak was instead given the mandate to play on a numerical disadvantage, a role from which he now takes “a lot of pride.” »
“I’m probably playing my best hockey since I was traded here. Even if the statistics don’t show it, I find that I help the team in several situations, he maintained. I’m trying to work on bringing more attacks, but I like where my game is at. And I know I can take it even further. »
By his efficiency in the circle of faceoffs (55.2%), he is no stranger to the success of the team short of a man.
“D-Vo is a pro. He might have liked to have bigger responsibilities than what he was given when he left, but he got the job done. He continued to build his game,” praised St-Louis.
Today, Dvorak is rewarded. His work and dedication prompted his head coach to give him playing minutes on the second wave of the massive attack, replacing the injured Emil Heineman.
A “fully deserved” promotion in the eyes of St-Louis.
