POSITION?
- Right Wing.

FAVORITE FOOD?
- Sushi.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CITY TO PLAY IN BESIDES BUFFALO?
- Edmonton.

WHAT IS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE CITY TO PLAY IN?
- New York Islanders.

WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE TOY AS A CHILD?
- My hockey stick.

WHAT IS SOMETHING THAT YOU COULD DO WITHOUT EVER AGAIN?
- Getting sick.

WHAT IS YOUR EARLIEST HOCKEY MEMORY?
- Scoring my first goal when I was eight years old.

HOW DID YOU CHOOSE YOUR SWEATER NUMBER?
- I use to be number 18 and when I came to Buffalo it was taken so I chose 18 because it is 81 reversed.

WHAT IS THE BEST THING ABOUT LIVING IN BUFFALO?
- You don’t have to go to Buffalo to play the Sabres.

Satan excited to lead Slovakia

05/00

Team Slovakia got a nice present on Friday evening, when Buffalo Sabres left wing Miroslav Satan arrived at Pulkovo Airport in St. Petersburg via New York and Stockholm. He joined the squad without his personal luggage, wearing the same clothes since he left Buffalo. Regardless, he came ready to play for his native Slovakia against Team Austria at Yubileiny Sunday night and picked up a goal in his squad's 2-0 win. The newly appointed 26-year-old Slovakian captain took time out to speak with IHWC.NET's Peter Kiss.

IHWC.NET: After enduring a long flight, you finally arrived to help Slovakia in the tournament. How was your trip?
- Even though I'm used to travelling a lot, this was a long flight from Buffalo to Stockholm and here to St. Petersburg. It is never too much fun to be on the plane for more than 15 hours, including waiting and transfers, in order to get to Europe. It was a bit demanding on me. On top of everything, they lost my luggage, but at least my equipment's here.

IHWC.NET : Your first impressions of St. Petersburg?
- Well, I'm stunned! It looks here like they had the same designer in the outskirts of the city that worked in Slovakia in the 1950's through the 1970's! (laughs). And it looks like there is not much money left for renovation of the great old buildings. It is a shame, because St. Petersburg is a magnificent city with lots of beautiful things in it, great location and grand history.

IHWC.NET: What about the facilities here at Yubileiny Arena? Do you see a big difference between this and NHL rinks?
- Difference? No, not really. It is pretty standard European set-up here. I'm used to that. This is a competition between the countries and it doesn't matter much when it comes to your surroundings. Until they are unbearable, that is. Here, Yubileiny is a pretty high-level facility even by European standards.

IHWC.NET: How do you feel out there on the ice?
- Oh, the ice is really good! I think it is even better than what I'm used to back in the States. I felt good out there, even though I hadn't been skating for a week or so before this. I'm gonna need one or two games to get back fully into the game shape again.

IHWC.NET: You, Lubos Bartecko and Michal Handzus. Now that would be a super Line, eh?
- All indications point that way, it might be a possible line. I'm only hoping that it will all work out with their participation here. If we're to play together, I'd be happy as a clam, because it is always a joy to watch them play together with Pavol Demitra. Too bad Pavol is hurt, because he'd would be a great help for our squad. If I end up with those guys on my line, I know it won't be easy for me to fill in for Demitra, but I'll do my best to try to keep in step with them.

IHWC.NET: Do you have a prediction for your team? What is your assessment?
- We need to make this team strive for the highest goal, so we can have fun together once the tournament is over as well. That is all I personally can say and hope for right now as far as my expectations are concerned.