Mahoney looking for next Ovechkin

Mr. Mahoney, could you please introduce yourself?
I am from Regina, the capital of Saskatchewan in Canada. And I work as a hockey scout for the Washington Capitals.

How long have you worked as a scout?
I have worked 15 years for Washington. Before that, I worked for Buffalo for two years and in Vancouver as a part-time. I was a school teacher for 18 years but I don´t teach anymore. I scout all the time.

Did you play ice hockey?
Just in juniors in college in Canada. Not good enough for the NHL.

Could you describe your job for the Capitals?
I am an amateur scout, so my job is to watch all the young players who will drop early in the draft. Every year we make seven picks at the NHL draft so I don´t do the pros, only the amateurs about 17 to 19 years old.

Which stars did you pick for Washington?
We were very lucky that we drafted Ovechkin. Then Bäckström, Mike Green, Marcus Johansson, Karl Alzner, John Carlson and goalies Varlamov and Holtby.

Czech players Hamrlik, Neuvirth and Vokoun play on your team. Did you know that goalie Tomas Vokoun played here in Znojmo?
Yes, I have seen his jersey in a hockey restaurant.

Is there any chance that we will see young Czech players in Washington?
Nobody knows, we will see.

Do you concentrate on any specific player?
We just watch everybody and when the tournament is over, we´ll put them into an order. Mr. Vojtech Kucera is my colleague, scout for Czech Republic and Slovakia. He recommends to me which games are worth watching.

Do you already have a favorite?
It is early in tournament. We will have a better idea when the middle part of the tournament starts. Every team has good players. The Swedish team is pretty strong, also Team U.S. But the main part of championships will come.

Where are you staying during the tournament?
I actually don´t stay in Znojmo but I´ve booked a hotel in Brno.

How do you like the Czech Republic?
The Czech Republic is a great country. I go here once or twice a year, especially during the summer. There is a tournament in Piestany in Slovakia and in Breclav in the Czech Republic. We stay in Prague to see players that Mr. Kucera has identified as better players. So I like Czech people, they are very friendly. The Czech Republic also is a very strong hockey country.