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Philadelphia's Pavel Brendl:
Flying through Philly
by NHL | Nov. 13, 2002
Pavel Brendl is flying through Philadelphia and he's not stopping for anyone. At 6'1" and 206 lbs, this 21-year old young star is making the most of his sophomore season with the Flyers. Already having tallied 3 points in 11 games, Brendl is on his way to having a stellar season.
Brendl started his professional career in 1997-98, playing junior hockey in his native Czech Republic for Olomouc in both the junior and first-division ranks. Having quickly proved himself as a junior, Brendl moved to North America to join the WHL's Calgary Hitmen for the start of the 1998 hockey season. It was in his first season with the Hitmen that he scored a league leading 73 goals and compiled 134 points, proving he deserved the WHL and CHL All-Star honors that he received. And this was just the beginning.
For the next three seasons Brendl would continue his success with the Hitmen, winning Canadian Major Junior Rookie of the Year, WHL East First All-Star team, Memorial Cup All-Star team and WHL East Second All-Star team honors. He had finally proved to the hockey world he was ready to take on the NHL.
It was in 1999 that Brendl was picked fourth overall in the NHL draft by the New York Rangers. He was later traded to the Flyers in a blockbuster deal during the 2001 off-season, that sent long time Flyer Eric Lindros to the New York Rangers.
After some impressive years in the WHL, and Flyers training camp prior to the 2001-02 season, Brendl managed to make the Flyers starting roster. After eight games, Brendl had only scored one point and was sent to the Phantoms, Philadelphia's minor league team. It was there that he would have to prove himself once again demonstrating he could compete with the world's best at the professional level.
Making the Flyers starting roster once again, Brendl's not going anywhere. At Right Wing, he is a genuine goal scorer that sees the ice very well. He is ready and willing to do anything on the attack to help the Flyers score.
Check your NHL Schedule to see when Pavel Brendl will be flying through an arena near you.
What is your favorite food?
Probably my favorite dish right now would be sushi.
What is your favorite North American dinner?
Steak and potatoes.
If you could have dinner tonight with any person, dead or alive, who would it be?
Chris Farley. I think he was hilarious. He brought me a lot of good stories.
What was the last music concert you went to?
U2. It was great and I really enjoyed it.
Do you have a favorite U.S. TV show that you watch?
The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn.
What is your favorite video game?
I don't play video games.
Who was your favorite hockey player growing up?
Nobody really.
How old were you when you first started playing hockey?
Probably 3, 3-and-a-half.
What do you do when you don't play hockey?
I love to play golf.
What music do you listen to before a game?
It doesn't matter.
What is the smelliest item a hockey player has in the locker room?
Probably my gloves.
How many languages do you speak?
Two right now [English and Czech]. I used to speak German a little bit but not anymore.
Do you have any brothers or sisters? If so, what are their ages?
An older brother. His name is Jan and he's 24.
Do your teammates have a nickname for you?
I don't think so. Just 'Pave'.
What players have you enjoyed meeting since you started in the NHL?
Petr Nedved [New York Rangers center].
What aspects of playing in the NHL have surprised you the most?
I don't think there is one thing. Pretty much it's still the same game. The guys are just a little stronger and faster. That's about it.
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