Faksa headed for snowy Sudbury today, says he’ll miss Kitchener & the fans

“You know you’re going to have to learn how to speak French now, right?” said Treena, the receptionist at the Kitchener Rangers office jokingly to now ex-Rangers import Radek Faksa before we sat down for a chat.

“Are you serious?” asked Faksa. Treena laughed and let him off the hook.

Just as the sun and warmer temperatures make their return to Waterloo Region, Faksa was busy packing his bags for snowy Sudbury after learning Thursday morning while eating breakfast that he had been traded. It was quite the birthday present for the Czech Republic native who turned 20 on Thursday.

AUDIO Eric Drozd chats with Radek Faksa

“Troy Smith called me. I had thoughts that I might be traded because I was talking with my agent and when he called me, I thought it would come”, said Faksa. “I felt very sad because I’ve got lots of memories here and Kitchener taught me many things. It’s hard to leave.”

Faksa grew up playing hockey in Opava, Czech Republic. His mother was a figure skater and his uncle played hockey at a high level, that’s how he learned to love the game.

Now, playing in his third OHL season since entering the league as Kitchener’s first round pick, 22^nd overall in the 2011 CHL Import Draft, Faksa has been a huge offensive threat for the East Avenue Blue having notched 54 goals and 70 assists, good for 124 points in 131 games. During the 2011-12 season he lead all OHL rookies with 66 points, 29 goals and 37 assists, in 62 games. A couple of weeks ago he had a chance to represent his country for a third time at the World Junior Championships in Malmo, Sweden.

Faksa says it was an up and down roller coaster ride.

“The best part was we beat Canada, but we were looking to get to the semi-final, we wanted to play Canada in the semis.”

The Czech Republic lead Finland 3-2 after two periods of play in the quarterfinals, when Finland roared back scoring three unanswered goals in the third period to beat the Czech’s 5-3 and move onto the semi’s to play Canada. Finland would go on to beat Canada and win gold in Malmo against hosts Sweden. Nonetheless Faksa says it was an experience he won’t soon forget.

In 2012, one of Faksa’s dreams came true. The Dallas Stars selected him in the first round, 13^th overall in the NHL Entry Draft.

Meantime, coming back Kitchener’s way is a fellow countryman, forward Dominik Kubalik, Sudbury’s second round pick in 2014 and Sarnia’s second round pick in 2016. Kubalik, a native of Plzen, Czech Republic, about a four hour drive from Faksa’s home town of Opava, has scored 30 goals and 27 assists in 103 games with the Wolves. He was Sudbury’s first round pick in the 2012 Import Draft and was a seventh round draft pick of the Los Angeles Kings in 2013.

Rangers head coach Troy Smith said at practice Thursday that Faksa’s departure will be felt, but it opens opportunities for other players to make their marks.

“Everybody liked Radek and we all know what he brings to our team”, said Smith. “But at the same time we’re excited to have Kubalik come in, he’s a year younger than Radek and hopefully he comes in and contributes with some speed and skill.”

Speaking of practice, Rangers defenceman Max Iafrate left the ice early for no apparent reason, sparking trade rumours. The OHL trade deadline is noon Friday.

As far as the Sudbury Wolves go, Faksa says he’s excited to join that organization.

“We have a chance to go to the Memorial Cup with this team and I’m excited to get a chance there.”

The Wolves currently sit tied for second place in the Eastern Conference with 50 points. The Rangers will tango with the Wolves at home on February 9^th. Mark it on your calendars.

Near the end of our eight minute conversation, a conversation by the way with a young man who a couple of years ago could barely speak the English language, I asked what he will miss most about playing hockey in the City of Kitchener.

“I am going to miss most the hockey here and the fans…because this city lives hockey and the Rangers”, said Faksa.

eric@570news.com