(Draft Week article - 1306 words)

It's 9 AM on a Friday morning. The seats of the ENMAX Centre are empty, save for a few seats taken by a member of the media, casually conversing with GM JNH about the past season, and what their plans going forward will be. On the ice, the sound of vulcanized rubber bullets crack the somber atmosphere, as rookie goaltender Markus Tegernako is practicing with fellow Swiss, centerman Luca Veccelli, in an attempt to stay sharp for the upcoming IIHF World Championships, where both of them will be representing the White Cross.

Just a few days after a heartbreaking elimination in the semi-finals of the Four Star Cup, in front of their home fans against the Kelowna Knights, it's all they can do to remain sane and keep their focus on what is to come. Because not only will they compete for a World Championship together, they will also be sitting in anticipation of the Season 50 SHL Draft - where both of them can hope to be drafted in the first round. We asked to sit down with the young goalie at the nearby Tim Hortons to get his impressions of his first season in North America, the SHL and his aspirations for the future.

We know you arrived in Lethbridge a bit later than everybody else, since you finalized your transfer to the SMJHL just before training camp started. How went your adaptation to this new lifestyle?

All things considered, it went well. I had chosen this offer due to some of my fellow countrymen being already a part of the team, as well as the high number of rookies we had - I felt like this was the best chance for me to compete at a high level for the coming years. We thought this season would be one of growing pains, and while we had our struggles early on, we had very positive leadership in the locker room, which helped elevate the team at the end of the season. In hindsight, a semi-final defeat is a very big step for an organization that was shaking at its foundation just 3 seasons ago. The fans really embraced the team this season, and I hope we can repay the favour with a cup in the next couple of seasons. We'll be keeping most of our core intact next season, so we'll hopefully be the ones to dethrone Montreal. (ed. The Montreal Militia had not yet relocated to Carolina at the time of the interview)

You didn't earn a start until about halfway through the season, yet after that, it seemed like you gained the trust of your coaches. How did that feel?

I mean, it feels pretty awesome if I'm being honest! [laughs] I knew the plan was to get me into the mix when I had trained a bit more with the team, and my sessions with Nolan [McMahon] went pretty well. So the coaches decided to give me an away game at first, to chase away the nerves - and I panicked a bit that game. The flow of the game was much faster than what I had known before, as the rink's size is a bit smaller in North America - so the play comes at you really quick. It really was eye-opening, but thankfully I didn't have time to dwell on it, because the very next day, we were at home playing against Vancouver, and I got the call again. This time, I showed what I truly was capable of, and that resulted in my first win. The rest of the season, it looks like they were splitting the goalie job, and they decided to "ride the hot hand" come playoff time - and that "hot hand" was me. It was surreal, I didn't expect to be the starter in any playoff games this season - so I really appreciated the coaches' confidence in me. I hope I proved to the scouts that were watching that I can be a good goalie in the SHL.

Tell me a bit more about your relationship with Harry Carpet - I've seen you work quite a bit with him during the training camp, have you kept in touch throughout the season?

Yea - it's been like a big brother / younger brother relationship right from the start. He had stayed close to the Lions' organization, even after getting the starter position for the Toronto North Stars in the SHL, so he took me under his wing. He really helped me get my bearings straight in the league, told me what to expect and what was expected of me - it was really helpful. We kept talking during the season, encouraging each other as both of our teams were flailing. Next week, both of our countries will be in the same pool for the World Championship, so I hope I get the occasion to play against my mentor!

Speaking of the World Championships, it's a rare honor for a rookie goaltender to be invited in the IIHF WC. What are your expectations?

Oh, I don't expect much, to be completely honest. We have a great goalie in Tibuk Soonika, he's been very solid this season in Chicago. I'm hoping to play maybe a couple of game during the Round Robin, but if we qualify for the quarter-finals, it's his net, and I'll just be cheering from the bench, like I was doing early on in the season in the SMJHL. We're a very special team this season, with a lot of great rookies and younger players - it's gonna be a lot of fun to play for Switzerland in the coming years. DACH is looking like a world-beater in the WJC, and we have a legitimate shot at getting out of our group in the WC - and it's only going to get better from here.

The SHL draft is coming very soon. How excited are you about the prospect of playing in the big leagues?

I mean, it hasn't kicked in just yet, the realization that I could actually be drafted. I was not drafted in the SMJHL, and I really thought I would simply stay in Switzerland to develop my game, but Lethbridge took a gamble on me - and I'm really grateful to them. This time, I have a legitimate shot at having my name called. I know my parents are already preparing a viewing party back in Köniz, even if it's gonna be pretty late at night for them. In all honesty, I'm just going to be happy to be drafted, no matter if it's in the first or the 5th round, and to have an occasion to show what I can do during the training camp, even if I know there's a 95% chance I'll be back in Lethbridge next season. I'm hoping that I can make my way to the SHL when I'm 23-24 years old, but right now, I know that the road ahead will be long, and I just need to be patient and keep getting better.

Any last words before we let you catch your flight?

I wanted to thank all the fans for their support this season, we'll keep getting better, that's for sure. I also wanted to thank the Lethbridge front office for their confidence and their support, it helped elevate my play to another level, and I wouldn't be where I'm at today without them. And lastly, I want to thank all of my teammates in the locker room, who accepted all of my quirks and my antics when in practice or in the gym. I'm doing a coffee run, does anybody want anything?