Brasov arguably had the toughest match week in the league as not only did they play three teams currently in the playoffs, this all happened on the road where they picked wins against all of them. The main reason for the three wins was Tomas Klempa who finished with five goals and six assists and is this week’s Player of the Week.
Brasov had a shootout win against MAC where Klempa scored the only goal in the shootout, this was followed up with two wins in Fejér county as the defeated both Fehérvár and Dunaújváros. Klempa comes from Pöstyén in Slovakia, came up through the Popard youth system and played for the Slovak U18 national team before going off to play junior in the United States. After graduating from the University of Nebraska-Omaha he spent the next five seasons playing in the minor leagues. Playing in the CHL he was teammates with future MOL League players such as Garrett Clarke, Erik Spady, Jon Booras, Jesse Dudás, Jarkko Leppanen and Kalvin Sagert. After spending one season in Slovakia, Klempa joined the MOL League where he played for MAC Budapest, and this offseason he joined Brasov. Tomas was nice enough to answer some questions for us.
What is it like playing with a familiar face in Ian McDonald again but also having a new linemate in Bryan McGregor?
This is my second season playing with McDonald and I am really enjoying it. I think as a line we are getting more used to each other and things are starting to come together and click.
What was the reason that you decided to join Brasov in the off season?
I just wanted to experience something new, a new city, a new culture and hopefully I would be able to help my new team make the playoffs
This is your third season in Europe after spending about a decade in the U.S. how has it been playing back on the old continent?
I have really enjoyed my time, it has been great seeing so many different countries and enjoying different cultures. I have been living it with no regrets so far.
You played juniors and then NCAA hockey what was the biggest culture shock you had back then?
Well for me when I moved to the United States to play everything was a shock. The language was an issue since I didn't really speak any English. Food was completely different, in short I would say everything was a shock. Playing in the NCAA teaches you to be more responsible in every way.
What can everyone expect from Brasov from now until the end of the season?
I think we just have to continue to play our game and stick to what has been working and take everything one game at the time, we hope to make a deep run in the MOL League playoffs.
