Getting to Know: Radek Faksa
What a difference a couple of years can make.
At the beginning of the 2011-12 season, a tall, lanky forward arrived at The Aud, ready to prove himself to the North American scouts. After traveling all the way from Opava, Czech Republic, he barely spoke a word of English, relying instead on his innate hockey sense and offensive talent to endear himself to fans.
Fast forward to 2013, and Radek Faksa is bobbing down the halls at the rink, singing Miley Cyrus hits and living like any other 19-year-old. His grasp on the language has improved markedly – he’s quickly picked up the slang and, while his speech is still punctuated by his heavy European accent, his comfort level with English is leaps and bounds ahead of where it when he moved in.
But one thing that hasn’t changed is the broad, innocent grin that has made him into a fan favourite in Kitchener.
“I’m just a happy guy,” claims Faksa, that ubiquitous smile spreading across his face. His easy-going charm is like his trademark; whether he’s posing for pictures with young fans, Trick or Treating with the kids at Grand River Hospital or fielding questions from the media, it’s always there. Maybe it’s because he’s happy to share the journey with Rangers fans. Ask Radek about his time in Kitchener, his grin widens.
“I love it here!”
In his 2011-12 rookie season, the friendly and dynamic centre finished first in OHL freshman scoring with 29 goals and 27 assists. It was enough to capture the attention of NHL Scouts and draft trackers, and his face and story quickly spread nationwide. Media outlets jumped on his story of dedication and perseverance. One sports network even traveled to his home country to share the tale of how Faksa left home at 11 years old to live alone in a town 90 minutes away from his family and chase his dreams of being a professional hockey player.
Kitchener was the next step in that journey. Though the challenge of a new land, a new team and a new language would seem daunting to most, for Radek it was another sacrifice he was willing to make for the sport he loved.
“The hockey is better than in the Czech Republic – and here I was more likely to be seen by NHL scouts, which is better for me,” he shares with a casual shrug.
And the move paid off – he was selected with the 13th overall pick in the 2012 Draft by the Dallas Stars and was the first member of his draft class to be signed to an entry level deal. He even had the chance to play with his childhood idol, Jaromir Jagr, with whom he attended training camp in 2012.
“I was nervous,” he confessed to the Stars in-house reporters after cameras caught him participating in passing drills with the veteran NHL star.
“You worry because you are passing to a very good player you grew up watching. I think everyone in Czech is jealous today!”
Beyond his success in the Ontario and National Hockey Leagues, Radek is working to make his mark on the international stage as well. He is one of a core group of young Czech players who have the country on the precipice of a podium finish at the World Junior Hockey Championships. With the help of Faksa (who in 2012 was the youngest member of the national team roster), the team has finished in fifth place in back-to-back years. With two successful tournaments under his belt, Radek is confident that the team is on the right track and was named to the country’s roster for this year’s event in Malmo, Sweden.
“We only lost two games all tournament [last year], same number as United States and Sweden,” he points out, matter-of-factly.
The first Czech player since Philadelphia Flyers forward Jakub Voracek to be drafted in the first round by an NHL club, many observers believe Faksa has the potential to push his country back into the spotlight and their first medal since 2005.
But through all of the attention, accolades and expectations, Radek has remained as modest as ever. He’s still firing up the crowds with his playmaking ability, and leads the team with 14 goals and 11 helpers this year. And he’s still happy to link arms and take a spin around the rink with a young fan at the annual season ticket skate.
“It’s fun to come out and see everyone,” he laughed, standing head and shoulders above the kids who had gathered around him excitedly.
“I’m happy playing here and I want to thank the fans for everything they do to support us!”