33-year-old Konstantin Komarek has been active in Sweden for nine of his last ten seasons – most recently with Västerås, with whom he avoided relegation after a disappointing season. Before that, he played for years at top clubs such as Malmö Redhawks and Luleå. Stations in the KHL with Dinamo Riga and in Switzerland with Biel also round off the two-time EBEL champion’s CV. In an interview with
Hockey News he talks about the difficult season in Sweden, his future plans and a possible comeback in the national team.
You have just finished the relegation with Västeras on a positive note. Was it your most difficult season so far in Sweden?
Komarek: It was definitely one of the most difficult seasons I’ve had so far. There are many difficult years in a long career, but this season was particularly challenging because as a team we fell far short of our own expectations and those of the club and the fans. It wasn’t easy mentally throughout the entire season.
You were in top form at the right time and contributed four goals and four assists in the relegation game, thus saving your team from relegation to the third division. How do you rate the season for yourself personally?
Komarek: Personally, my season was okay, but that’s secondary for me. The team’s success is crucial, and it hasn’t been right throughout the season. That’s why I see the season as a whole as a failure despite a good finish in relegation. Finishing with the series win was of course nice, but it was the least we could do to save the season.
You have already announced that you will be setting up camp in Sweden. How do you look back on all these years – both sportily and privately?
Komarek: It has not yet been finally decided whether I will actually leave Sweden. Austria would be a very good option. Looking back, my time in Sweden was very formative: I went to Luleå early on, developed strongly in sports and met many important people. There were big sporting moments, like the Champions Hockey League final or the SHL final, and privately the time was even more important: I met my wife in Sweden, my three children were born here and I started my family here.
So a return to Austria is at least in the offing – is the homeland the ultimate goal or could something else arise in the closer abroad?
Komarek: Austria is my dream and would be a good step for my career and my family. However, there are also other options in other leagues where clubs are interested. What’s important is that everything fits. I want to play for a club that I can fully identify with. I want to achieve something with a team that really means something to you and touches your heart.
According to rumors, the Vienna Capitals and Red Bull Salzburg are hot candidates for your new job. Can you confirm this and by when should a decision be made?
Komarek: I can actually neither confirm nor deny that. A decision is expected to be made in the next few weeks.
Konstantin Komarek: I don’t rule out a national team comeback, but a lot of things would have to come together.
After the season is always before the World Cup. Have you followed the ÖEHV team in recent years and how do you see their performance?
Komarek: Very positive. The performances of the last few years have been impressive, such as the quarter-finals in Stockholm last year or the strong performances in Prague. The team developed excellently and represented Austria very well.
You were last in the ÖEHV squad in 2019. In 2021 you were not considered for the Olympic qualification, after that the family took precedence. Have you had any contact with Roger Bader in recent years? When it comes to Fabio Hofer, we know that Bader repeatedly asked whether he would be willing to play.
Komarek: No, there was no contact. I told him that the national team had not played a role for me in recent years and that was respected accordingly.
You said in December 2022 that you didn’t see your national team career as over and could imagine a comeback if you played closer to Austria or even in Austria. Would a comeback in team uniform be an issue again soon or is this chapter now finally closed for you?
Komarek: I don’t rule out a comeback, but a lot of things would have to come together. Family plays a big role and a World Cup always means a long absence. In addition, the team is currently very well-coordinated and successful, so it would not only be my decision, but also that of the team manager.
Image: facebook.com/vikhockey
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