12/09/2023
#15 Colisée Pepsi, Quebec City (Kanada)
• Built in 1949, capacity: 15.176
• 1972-1995 home of NHL Quebec Nordiques, now Remparts de Québec (QMJHL)
Fifteen years ago, the World Cup was held in Canada for the first and last time in history, the championship was shared between the cities of Halifax and Quebec. My memories: stars of the Czech team were Tomáš Kaberle and Patrik Eliáš (injured his thigh muscle against the camera in the goal in the match against the Sweden), Alexander Ovechkin walking into the Russian locker room wearing slippers and a cassette player in his hand (apparently he was the team's DJ), Saku Koivu shared with the journalists the joy of the bronze medal, sadness of the MVP Dany Heatley after the final, while on the other side the hero of the match Ilja Kovalchuk did not hide his euphoria.
I interviewed Mattias Weinhandl, who had seriously injured eye by a Czech player in the past, and legend Igor Larionov after his induction into the IIHF Hall of Fame (I even had him sign it). Mario Lemieux was also nominated, but unfortunately he didn't arrive - he stayed with the Penguins, who were fighting to advance to the Stanley Cup finals. All the journalists in Quebec received probably the nicest souvenirs ever from the organizers – I still have a nice bag and a wooden wine box with the logo.
