ST. PAUL, Minn. –Samuel Hlavaj signed an Entry Level Contract with Minnesota back in April, and even though he was born and raised in Slovakia, he is no stranger to the Midwest. The 6’4″, 193 lbs. force between the pipes got his first taste of North American hockey with the USHL’s Lincoln Stars in Nebraska.

At the conclusion of Development Camp in July, Wild.com had the opportunity to catch up with Hlavaj and gain insights into the organization’s latest goaltender.

Wild.com: What was it like playing hockey in Nebraska, both on and off the ice?

Hlavaj described his experience as being unlike anything he had encountered in Slovakia. He was around 16 or 17 years old when he found himself in a foreign land, all by himself. Without the guidance of his parents, he felt as though he had been thrown into the deep end. Initially, the first few weeks were quite challenging. However, as time went on, he adjusted and grew accustomed to the new environment. Despite facing some initial difficulties, he eventually found his footing and everything turned out fine.

Wild.com: Where are you from in Slovakia?

Hlavaj: “Martin is a small city located in the central and northern region of the country. It has an approximate population of 60,000 people. Recently, we relocated to a smaller village situated outside of Martin.”

Wild.com: You’re an interesting Instagram follow! What are some of your hobbies outside of hockey?

Hlavaj: “Without a doubt, I enjoy hiking the most. Although I also engage in various sports such as basketball and tennis, fishing holds a special place in my heart. However, fishing experiences in Slovakia differ greatly from those in Minnesota. Personally, I am particularly fond of carp fishing, as it is quite popular in Europe. So, that sums up my interests.”

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Wild.com: What was your time like in the QMJHL?

Hlavaj expressed that his time playing for the Sherbrooke Phoenix in Quebec was the most joyous period he has experienced in hockey thus far. He fondly remembers having an amazing billet family, receiving immense support from the city’s community, being a part of a fantastic team, and achieving personal success. Overall, everything seamlessly fell into place, much like the perfect completion of a puzzle.

Samuel Hlavaj is impressive in Sherbrooke! Full story here pic.twitter.com/Bsk0kjDw8C

— QMJHL (@QMJHL) March 14, 2020

Wild.com: What has your experience been like playing for Slovakia in the World Championships?

Hlavaj reflected on his experience, mentioning that he had participated in the tournament twice. The initial year proved to be a mental challenge as he was unsure of what to expect. Going up against formidable teams like Canada and Switzerland, he felt a mix of excitement and nerves. However, he saw it as an opportunity and used it to his advantage. In the following year, he had a different attitude, feeling more confident and determined. It was finally his turn to shine, and he made the most of it. Hlavaj proudly mentioned their victory against the United States, by the way.

UNREAL save by the goaltender Hlavaj on a great shot form Byram #MensWorlds pic.twitter.com/FKDRg48uuc

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) May 23, 2024

Wild.com: Being from Slovakia—a smaller country—does that put a chip on your shoulder when you play Canada and USA?

Hlavaj expressed that it is indeed a win-win situation for both him and his country, as the pressure lies on the opposing side. They have the opportunity to gain from them without risking any losses.

Wild.com: At this year’s Development Camp, you were asked by the media if “you’ve always been this big.” How does your size and strength translate to how you operate in front of the net?

Hlavaj believes that his lower body power greatly contributes to his performance. Despite his size, he considers himself to be exceptionally fast on the ice. His ability to cover a significant area in the net also plays a role in his success, albeit with some unique aspects.

Wild.com: Speaking of strength, we found out that when you did the bike test at Development Camp you took out out one of the Assault Bikes. Tell us what happened.

Hlavaj mentioned that the test involved covering a distance of approximately 0.2 miles at maximum speed on a bike while exerting maximum Watts. However, during the test, Hlavaj experienced an unexpected issue. While pushing hard, the fan blades inside the bike suddenly broke and fell out. Hlavaj was unsure of the cause, speculating whether it was due to excessive power or another factor.

Wild.com: It sounds like a good way to make an impression on the first day of camp.

Hlavaj chuckled and said, “You need to make a statement.”

Bikes may have been broken #OnTheHorizonMN pic.twitter.com/4r0nkBkaRo

— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) July 10, 2024

Wild.com: What’s it mean to have an opportunity with this organization at this point in your career?

Hlavaj expressed his immense happiness over being given this opportunity and assured that he would exert every effort to demonstrate that it was indeed an outstanding decision.

Hlavaj shared that his summer was predominantly focused on hockey, with only a short pause between World Championships and Development Camp. Following the week-long Development Camp in St. Paul, he made his inaugural visit to New York City before returning to Slovakia. During his time there, Hlavaj has exciting plans for a couple of fishing trips as well as attending a Travis Scott concert. Afterward, he will begin gearing up for the training camp in Minnesota, scheduled for September.