Former Ottawa Senator Pyotr Schastlivy is the level of a player that Jason Strudwick and Rob Niedermayer were, who had played in Hungary.
SC Csíkszereda had signed the former NHL player last week, Schastlivy played in the NHL from 2000 to 2004 for the Senators and the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. In total he played 130 games and scored 40 points.
After the NHL he went home to Russia and played for a number of teams, he achieved the most success with Salavat Yulaev Ufa which won the KHL in the 2010-11 season. With the national teams he was the Russian team captain during the 2007 World Championships, where Russia picked up the bronze medal on home ice. Alex Ovechkin, Evgeni Malkin, Alexander Frolov and Ilya Kovalchuk were all on the team.
What is it like to be with you new team and what are you expecting from the season?
I can’t wait for the game on Friday, I practiced for three days with the team already. I think during this time I was able to get to know my teammates. I am a winning type of person so I want to win on Friday as well. I want to help the team with my goals and assists along with my experience.
What did you know about the ERSTE Liga before you signed with Csíkszereda?
To be honest I didn’t know too much, during our preseasons in the KHL we faced teams from a number of different countries but I never came across the ERSTE Liga. I don’t know too much about the league, but I will find out when I will step on the ice.
What have you heard about the great Csíkszereda fans?
I have not had the chance to play in front of them however I have seen how much they love the hockey here. When I first arrived a lot of people wanted to see me and find out about me. If the fans can fill the seats in the arena then I am sure that it is a great environment for the games here.