The Blue Jackets stockpiled veteran talent that they later traded for draft choices, allowing their younger players to develop. Those veterans taught the younger Blue Jackets the ways of the NHL. Klesla clearly benefited.

"Lyle Odelein and Ron Tugnutt were veteran guys who always told me to stay cool and don't worry about things, just play hockey and have fun," Klesla said. "They took me under their wing and always talked to me. It was nice to see veterans who want you to become a good leader and teammate. Really, all the guys in our dressing room were good that way. That really helps a rookie like me. When you don't know what to expect, it's good to have them come up and give me good advice."

Klesla will miss Odelein's leadership and savvy. The veteran teamed with him for most of last season before being traded in March to the Chicago Blackhawks for defensemen Jiri Spacek, a fellow Czech.

"This a business. You play with a guy and he leaves and you can't do anything about," Klesla said. "I told 'Odie' it was tough to see him go, but Chicago is a good team for him. I'll still see him five times a year because he's still in our division. He has a house in Columbus so he gets back here from time to time. Spacek is a good player, a good addition. He's also a lot of fun."

Radim Bicanek is another veteran Czech-born Columbus defenseman. While Klesla likes having a few fellow countrymen on his team, the common language is not a factor during play.

"My first year in the United States, when I spoke no English, it would have been nice to have somebody who spoke my language, but at this point I speak Czech mostly only when I'm talking about what's going on at home. So, there's four guys here that speak Czech it and that's pretty cool," he said.

Klesla had a chance to return home after last season, although the visit was split by a summer conditioning camp in Columbus.

"I went home for a month," Klesla said. "Then I came back to Columbus to work out with the team trainers and to attend the development camp that we had in June and July. I stayed in Columbus for about a month and a half. When I went back home, I got on the ice with my old team, Opava, which has since moved to Havirov, around the middle of August and then came back at Labor Day.

"The training in the Czech Republic was good because I knew the coaches and some of the players," Klesla said. "Vaclav Varada from the Buffalo Sabres was there for a couple of weeks."

Klesla likes the compliments he's been receiving but he knows he has more to do to be the player he wants to be and that Columbus needs.

MacLean jumped at the chance to hire retiring defenseman Gord Murphy this season to help coach the Columbus defense. Murphy played 14 NHL seasons and was recognized for his excellent positioning, playmaking abilities and defensive-zone clearing and passing. He had 238 assists in 862 games.

"We've talked a lot," Klesla said. "He's a good guy and he can help me because he has the experience. Hopefully, he'll be able to help our defense improve. It will be interesting."

Klesla said that while coaching obviously helps, it's also necessary to get experience playing against the League's best players. He keeps mental notes on all his rivals.

"You have to look at the other team's top guns before a game and know what to expect: This guy has a lot of speed and can take you wide or this guy does something else. Joe Sakic, you can't leave a gap because his shot is so quick and hard and he can put it through your legs. You have to see the players before you can learn their style and their tricks," Klesla said.

Klesla likes the compliments he's been receiving but he knows he has more to do to be the player he wants to be and that Columbus needs.

"I can improve on moving the puck and being stronger in front of the net," he said. "I love to score and I love when the team scores. If I can set up a goal that's even better. I've always been in the middle of something happening and with the team counting on me in important situations, it's a good feeling."