A familiar face has returned to the SDHL (Svenska damhockeyligan) for the
2018-19 season. One that the league has not seen since the 2016-17 campaign.
There are many proponents of women';s hockey who feel that the SDHL - Sweden';s
 topmost level for the women';s game - is the premier league in the entire
world for their sport. There is a lot to lend credence to that notion too. A
multitude of star-studded Olympians like Jennifer Wakefield (Canada), Sidney
Morin (USA), Lara Stalder (Switzerland) and Jenni Hiirikoski (Finland) all play
 for SDHL teams. 

Another international name to throw back into that mix is Czech
goaltender Klára Peslarová. Though not yet an Olympian, the 5-foot-7
netminder is widely considered the best female goaltender in the history of
Czech Republic hockey. Highly accomplished already, Peslarová is a three-time
recipient of the Best Goaltender award in various IIHF World Championship
competitions. The most noteworthy instance came during the 2014 Women';s U18
World Championship in Budapest, Hungary when she beat out the likes of
Canada';s Shea Tiley, Russia';s Nadezhda Morozova, Sweden';s Sarah Berglind,
and the USA';s - and current member of the NWHL';s Boston Pride - Katie
Burt.Klára Peslarová protects the net for MODO (Photo Credit: Mats
Bekkevold).

Now Peslarová has rejoined the SDHL by signing with their MODO hockey club
- a team located in Örnsköldsvik, along the coastline of the Gulf of
Bothnia. When we last spoke with Peslarová almost a year ago, she was
enjoying a hiatus from Swedish hockey and had returned to play in her native
Czech Republic. Now she is thrilled to be back playing in the SDHL and looking
forward to new opportunities - the main one being a chance to stymie some of
the best shooters in the world.

This writer has remained in close contact with Peslarová and was able to chat
with her regarding why she opted to return to Sweden and what she will bring to
 MODO. The netminder who will turn 22 years old in November could conceivably
play her best hockey yet in the 2018-19 season. We caught up with her while
MODO was on a road trip by bus to play against Göteborg.Going Back to the
Czech Republic

Spending the 2017-18 season in her homeland, Peslarová suited up for both
men';s and women';s teams. She played six games for HC Poruba, a team in
the Czech 2.liga, the third level of men';s ice hockey in the Czech Republic.
It was an interesting team for Peslarová to play for, as some of her
teammates included former Portland Winter Hawks (WHL) forward Martin Bucek and
former Niagara Ice Dogs (OHL) forward David Sysala. Through her six games with
 the team she compiled a .868 save-percentage and a 3.00 goals-against average.

Peslarová also suited up for one of the top women';s hockey clubs in the Czech
 Republic, SK Karvina, with many of the women on the team also playing for the
 Czech Women';s National Team. Her numbers in net for Karvina were an
impressive .924 SV% and a 1.70 GAA in nine regular season games.
In Peslarová';s lone playoff game with the team she earned a .927 SV% and a
2.77 GAA.Peslarová took an SDHL breather during the 2017-18 to return home to
the Czech Republic (Photo Credit: Mats Bekkevold).

One might think that playing goaltender for two different hockey teams would be
 a taxing experience. For Peslarová it was the complete opposite. Being back
in the Czech Republic gave her a sense of feeling refreshed and an opportunity
to decompress.

"I went back to Czech to relax, draw energy and gain new strength," Peslarová
 stated sincerely. "I';m glad I could come back to my home club and play a few
matches for a men';s team. It was a really good experience for me."Making the
Return to Sweden

Then the obvious question became this - if playing in the Czech Republic was so
 refreshing and re-energizing, why leave it behind and go back to Sweden?
For a competitor like Peslarová, the answer was very simple:

"It';s a better league, of course. SDHL is one of the best leagues in Europe.
Maybe in the world," she said with a smile.

For an elite goaltender who is very much accustomed to a European lifestyle,
playing in the SDHL is easily the best way to test her skill and get the level
of play that she desires and needs. Lifestyle and familiarity are one thing,
but Peslarová is also accustomed to facing the very best on the ice. Keep in
mind that in the four IIHF Women';s World Championships that she has played for
 the Czech Women';s National Team, she has posted save-percentages of .975,
.954, .905 and .897 - each of those numbers coming from at least four games.
Having given herself an understandable breather, Peslarová now wants to be
challenged once more.Facing a partial breakaway, Klára Peslarová looks to
make the big save for MODO (Photo Credit: Mats Bekkevold).

Initially she sought to return to SDE HF (Stocksund Danderyd Enebybergs
Hockeyf├╢rening) - the SDHL team she had played for during the 2015-16 and
2016-17 seasons. Peslarová played 27 and 21 games during those two seasons
respectively. The 2015-16 campaign saw her record a .904 SV% and a 3.59 GAA
which were quite decent numbers for a team that compiled a record of 1-30-1-4.
SDE';s season would not be much better in 2016-17 - they posted a similar
record of 1-30-3-2 - but Peslarová';s  would be. Her second SDHL season saw
her put numbers together of a .926 SV% and a 2.91 GAA.

With such standout performances for a struggling team, one would think that SDE
 would quickly want to retain Peslarová once she decided to return to Sweden.
 Instead, it would be MODO to come calling and seek her out.

"First I contacted the team SDE HF," Peslarová explained, "but they had
signed two goalies already, so I started to try new teams. MODO ran to me! They
 offered excellent conditions, arena and things around."Familiar Faces With
MODO

Another important factor in Peslarová';s finding MODO suitable to her needs
is that she has familiarity with a number of the organization';s players, and
she is getting to know more of her teammates as time goes along. Age wise, MODO
 is easily the youngest team in the SDHL with the team';s average being under
20 years old.Klára Peslarová is one of four Czechs within MODO';s hockey
system (Photo Credit: Mats Bekkevold).

"There four Czech girls on MODO. Two are on the junior team - (goaltender)
Viktorie (Švejdová) and (forward). Agáta (Sarnovská), and me and Laura
(Lerchová). From the beginning I asked a lot about it to Viktorie. We have a
young team. We already had a common dinner. It';s great to know people
personally and not just on the ice."

This will be an interesting season for Peslarová';s teammate Lerchová too.
The 18-year-old winger is fresh off of the 2018 Women';s U18 World Championship
 in Moscow, Russia where she finished second in scoring for the Czechs. In five
 tournament games Lerchová had a goal and five assists to be better than a
point-per-game player. Anxious eyes are waiting to see how she will perform in
her first SDHL season. Having Peslarová as a close friend, a fellow
countrywoman, and her goaltender are all reinforcements for a solid first
season from Lerchová.What Is Peslarová Most Excited For?

SDHL fans are excited to have one of their star goaltenders back into the fold.
 MODO is particularly on the edge of their seats to have her playing for their
squad. Seeing Peslarová perform out on the ice, you are not only witnessing
the top goaltender from the Czech Republic but also one of the best goaltenders
 in the world. There is plenty for hockey fans to be excited over, but what
is Peslarová most excited for?Klára Peslarová is very excited to be back
playing in the SDHL and with a new team, MODO (Photo Credit: Mats Bekkevold).

"Of course, something new is starting," she said. "I certainly look forward to
every game. I think each team has set goals. Each player wants to win the
league. When we work together, we will pull far."

What message does Peslarová have for fans excited to see her play this
season? For a quieter, more reserved person like she is, it was not the easiest
 question to answer.

Peslarová laughed, "That's a hard one!... Just a certain wish (for them) to
support my team."

Rest assured Klára, you indeed have everyone';s full support!

The post Peslarová Excited to Be Back in SDHL, With MODO appeared first on The
 Hockey Writers.

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