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The Capitals
With Peter Bondra
Right Wing
Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2001; 3 p.m. EST

Bondra was online Wednesday, Nov. 7 at 3 p.m. EST, to talk about the team, Tuesday's game against the Maple Leafs and his long career with Washington, D.C.'s hometown team.

The transcript follows.

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Peter Bondra: Welcome everybody.

Greenbelt, Md.: Peter, you are doing a terrific job this year, keep it up! After 15 games, you are tied for 2nd in the league in goals and 6th in the league in total points. Do you think you have a chance to win the Richard and/or Ross trophies?

Peter Bondra: It is going to be tough. This is not my goal for the year, my biggest goal is the Stanley Cup and that is what the whole team is looking for.

Fairfax, Va.: Peter, back in the heyday of the Washington Redskins, one of the things that made them so popular was their visibility in the community (away from football). Do you or any of the other Caps have any plans to increase your involvement in the D.C. community?

Peter Bondra: Definitely. Not just myself but a lot of my teammates are involved in charities such as my charity Scoring For Children and the NIH.

Harrisburg, Pa.: Your son was recently involved in an intermission hockey exhibition at the MCI Center, and at an early age he already shows some of your skill. How is he progressing, and what is your involvement?

Peter Bondra:
He was playing between periods. He is playing the sport for Chesapeake Bay Chiefs and he is doing fine. He really likes it. It is too early to talk about his skills, but the biggest thing is that he likes playing the game.

Pretty much as a parent I go to games and practices when I can.

Alexandria, Va.: Peter, great job so far this year! As a hockey fan, I've always wondered how much the audience and playing at home is an advantage in hockey? Do you fell the crowd's support more on some nights than others?

Peter Bondra: Definitely feels good when it is a sell out in out building. The crowd helps al lot in some games. It helps energize the whole building and you can take that and bring it to the game. I think we have great fans in Washington.

Fairfax, Va.: Peter, how is the chemistry of the team developing, and does the seemingly constant shuffling of the lines make working together on the ice more difficult?

Peter Bondra: It doesn't, it is pretty much up to the coach. In particular situations the best players are sent on the ice. Some times people have good nights sometime they do not. It is up to the coach to meet the situation. But the chemistry is there. No matter who you play with you know what to expect from the player and the whole line.

Roanoke, Va.: Just wanted to ask if the contract negotiations are in the past and if you are happy to be here. I know we are happy to have you in Washington.

Peter Bondra: Definitely I am happy to be here. Washington was always my first choice. I was going through a tough time and I wasn't sure what my future was going to be. I grew up in Washington with my family and I can't imagine how hard it would be for me to play somewhere else. At the same time I want to thank the team for offering me a new contract and especially Ted Leonsis.

Arlington, Va.: Have heard anything about moving your training facility to Arlington, Va.?

Peter Bondra: Yes, I did. We will be moving in two years from now. It is going to be nice. It will take some time before everything is set up.

London, England: Peter, Slovakia needs to qualify to get through to the Olympics next year. If they make it through, can they cause an upset and win the tournament when the NHL guys join the squad?

Peter Bondra: Definitely I am looking forward to the Olympics. We still have to face the preliminary round I will do everything to try to play in that round. I want to help my home country. I want to play against teams like the U.S., Canada and the Russians.

Washington, D.C.: Peter

If you were not a hockey player what would you be doing today?

Vicky

Peter Bondra: I would be playing soccer somewhere in Europe. I grew up playing both and I would definitely be either professional or trying to play it for a living.

Arlington, Va.: I read the article in the Post about last night's game -- must have been pretty harsh. I had no idea that Jeff Halpern was a sailor in another life. I'm dying to know if our hometown player has a girlfriend.

Peter Bondra: The game was a tough one. I thought we played well enough to at least make a point. Sometimes, no matter what, the luck is not with you.

South Riding, Va.: Peter - not really a question, but a comment -- your goal-scoring celebrations are a thing of beauty. You seem as happy to score each goal as you must've been when you scored your very first goal in the NHL. Keep up the great work!

Peter Bondra: Thanks. It comes naturally. I am happy when I score and that is pretty much who I am. I enjoy the game.

Point Mugu, Calif.: What did you think when George McPhee worked his magic to make the hugest deal of the century -- and in Capitals history -- to acquire Jaromir Jagr to the Washington lineup, trying to boast the energy and morale of the team and win the Stanley Cup with pride and honor?

Peter Bondra: I was so excited and at the same time I couldn't believe that Jagr was going to play for the Caps. I think it is great for the team, the city and for Washington fans.

Manassas, Va.: Peter, do you feel there's more pressure on you right now, with both Jagr and Oates out, to put the biscuit in the basket? And additionally, what's your take on some of the up-and-comers (Peat, Pettinger, Corrinet, Sutherby)?

Peter Bondra: I never feel pressure to score goals, but we are missing Jagr and Adam. It does give a chance for someone else, like Pettinger or Chris Corrinet, to show some skills. It is tough being in a slump right now, but we will work our way through.

Burke, Va.: Peter, can you explain the team's lack of play and your thoughts of a turnaround?

Peter Bondra: We don't seem to relax on the ice when we need to in order to give us a scoring chance. Last year we also had a slow start and yet we recovered. I believe this year we have an even better team than last year and we will do the same thing.

Fairfax, Va.: What advice do you have for parents with children who express an interest in developing hockey at ages 8 and 5?

Peter Bondra: There are a lot of good programs around the area. Just support them, find the closest ice rink and find out what programs they run. I think hockey is a great sport for kids and you, as a parent, are going to have a lot of fun going to games and watching your sons play.

You never know, you may have a professional hockey player in your house. You never know.

Edgewater, Md.: Great job this year! Wanted to know if there are any "hard feelings" in the locker room regarding Adam Oates' request to be traded in the off-season, and whether you (as someone that was in a similar position last year) have done anything to help Adam get motivated again to play for the Caps?

Peter Bondra: I think that Adam is handling everything professionally. You have to respect his request to be traded, but at the same time when he was healthy he played great hockey for us. I hope he rethinks his decision and that he will be here for the rest of the season if not longer. He is a big part of our team.

Players understand Adams situation.

College Park, Md.: Peter, what do you do while the team is on the plane or the bus between games?

Peter Bondra: When a team is on the plane we usually watch movies. On the bus we pretty much wait until we get to the final destination.

Washington, D.C.: Peter, how closely do you read the articles in the Sports page about not only the Caps, but the rest of the league?

Peter Bondra: Dailym, about both our team and the NHL.

Washington, D.C.: During the game, can players hear fans yell specific things, like "Go Bonzai" or wisecracks about the other team?

Peter Bondra: Sometimes yes. But when you go on the ice you concentrate on the hockey.

Harrisburg, Pa.: Have you seen your bobble-head doll, and if so, what are your thoughts? Growing up in Slovokia, did you ever think your likeness would be made into a bobble-head?

Peter Bondra: Haven't seen one yet. I have seen other player though. Believe me, I never expected to make NHL level and am so lucky to be here and play National Hockey.

Washington, D.C.: There has been a huge influx of players from Czech Republic and Slovakia to the NHL. To what do you attribute their success?

Peter Bondra: I think that the youth hockey there has good programs, quality coaches and give the kids a lot of ice time.

Washington, D.C.: Peter, great job this season! What team in the eastern conference will give the Caps the most trouble in your run for the Stanley Cup?

Peter Bondra: So far it looks like Philly will be hard, but there are a lot of good teams and it is wide open for everybody including us.

Ocean City, Md.: What kind of things do you and your teamates try to do to overcome the mental pressure when in a scoring/winning slump?

Peter Bondra: I think we try and stay positive. The biggest preparation is practice, and we try and get in good game habits in the practice which we can bring to the game.

Rockville, Md: Do you or the other players find it distracting to have the fans at practice, or do you like the fact that they support you like that?

Peter Bondra: There was a lot of interest in camp and I liked it. On the other hand, if you try and go home you have to sign things for over 50 or 60 people, but I understand and I try and take care of everyone who is asking for autographs.

Clemson, S.C.: Peter, you have been one of the most consistent scorers in the NHL for many years now. But the media has never covered your achievements as much as other hockey players, many with far worse statistics. Do you feel cheated at all by the press?

Peter Bondra: Thank you first of all.

I never felt like I have been cheated, but if your team wins a cup then people will recognize you and your accomplishments. Hopefully everything will be taken care of and we will win the Cup. Then people will know about Peter Bondra.

Harrisburg, Pa.: Peter:
Thanks for your effort so far. My question is: What has the mentality in the locker room been of late? There have been reports of players yelling at each other, throwing furniture, etc. Is there dissention in the locker room?

Peter Bondra: This is something new for me. It has never happened. If you ever want to throw anything in the locker room you will have to unscrew it first. We don't even have a chair to throw. As far as yelling, I haven't had any experience with that either.

Peter Bondra: Thank you for all your questions and support. Hopefully we will start scoring and playing better and get back on top.

washingtonpost.com:

That wraps up today's show. Thanks to everyone who joined the discussion.

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