Habs' much-sought after free agent signing Jiri Sekac failed to put an end to speculation that he would consider returning to play in the KHL after being sat out for seven games by Coach Michel Therrien.
“When you don’t play a lot of things go through your mind,” he told reporters Friday.
“I accepted the Canadiens’ offer and I want to play here," he added.
Later when asked if he would ever return to the KHL, he said, “It’s hard to forget the KHL. I played there and had success there. I can't help but think about the success I had there. But I remind myself that I must work harder and that I want to stay here."
The discussion began with news that the AK Bars of Kazan had acquired his KHL rights after his former team HC Lev of Prague folded due to money woes after last season.
Kazan has the reputation of being the wealthiest team in the KHL.
“I don’t know how that transfer happened,” he said. “My agent told me about it but I don’t know any more. My agent doesn’t really talk about Russia with me.”
Sekac has one goal in seven games this season and signed a two year deal with the Canadiens after scoring 11 goals and 17 assits in 47 games of the KHL.
About 10 teams sought to sign him but he opted for the Canadiens, where his compatriot Tomas Plakenac helped influence his choice.
Sekac played in the first six games for the Canadiens but was kept in the press box for the next seven before returning in the Habs 2-1 win in Buffalo.
His father reportedly left Montreal in anger. “My father gets mad easily,” said Sekac who said that he didn’t expect his first year in the NHL to be easy.
“He knew I’d make my way back. 'Don’t get discouraged,' he said. Now I’m back in the lineup and that’s all that counts."
Sekac said that he would accept to be sent to Hamilton of the AHL if required and would not go back to Europe.
“I said that I’d go to Hamilton and play very hard if required.”
