1-On-1: with Maksymilian Szuber

Roadrunners Defenseman Maksymilian Szuber joined Adrian Denny and Jonathon Schaffer on this week’s Labor Day Special Insider Podcast. For the complete conversation and to see what time Szuber’s family wakes up to watch him play, download this week’s show below. 

Listen to “Labor Day Special With Szuber” on Spreaker.

Tell us about going to play in the World Championships for the second straight year after the season ending.

It was great; even though we didn’t get any medals this year and lost in the quarters, it was great to have the boys back. It was pretty much the same team as last year, but it’s like a small German family back there. It was a lot of fun and just nice to see the guys again after a long year; going out to dinner and hanging out while playing against the best in the world together.

You played with prospect Julian Lutz (2nd Round Pick, 43rd overall in 2022 NHL Entry Draft) with Munich in the DEL, what can Tucson fans expect out of him when his time comes to play?

A very fast and good player; I’ve talked to some of the other guys about him and he’s probably one of the most skilled players I’ve ever seen. It’s going to be exciting to see him here and see how he’s doing. Personality wise he is just a great guy; I’ve known him since I was 13 so almost nine years now. Just an unbelievable guy and it’s so fun to be around him. He’s kind of like my small brother: in Munich we were always together and to me he’s family.

Roadrunners Rapid Fire Questions: Maksymilian described the below in one word or one sentence:

How was it winning the DEL Championship with Munich in 2022-23 and then going straight to North America to play for Tucson?

It’s different hockey here I would say: everything is smaller, harder and faster. It was a lot to adjust to, but Slanes (John Slaney) helped me a lot with it. He was the coach who came up to me and said, “here we have to do things differently,” and throughout the year I feel that I improved a lot because of him. It was a lot of work, but I feel like I’m mature enough to play on smaller ice and it’s great to have the coaches who can help me.

You had the best plus/minus on the team last season with a +14; which was the best ever from a Roadrunners rookie defenseman. What does that say about the kind of season you had last year?

I feel like it’s just luck sometimes; whether you’re on the ice for a lucky goal for or on the ice for an unlucky goal against. We had a great team and I could tell you that we probably had the best five-on-five team in the league. It was unfortunate that it didn’t go as well as we thought in the playoffs, but we had great teammates. This is a team sport and everyone helps with the plus/minus; especially my d-partner last season Cam Crotty. If you have a guy like that with you on the ice, you know he’s always going to help you out and be there for you. I feel like the plus/minus shows if you have great teammates playing with you.

As every AHL team’s offseason goes, we lost guys like Cam Crotty, but we also gained some big names too. How excited are you to play with the new players coming to the team?

I’m super excited; I’m going to miss a couple of guys obviously, but I’m also excited to meet the new team and see how we do next year. It’s a whole new group and even a whole new family. Hopefully we can go far and have a lot of fun together.

Tell us about the NHL debut; with the most callups coming to our team last season, did you expect for your name to be called or was it a complete surprise?

I was more surprised because at that time, I was mainly focused on the playoffs since we were near the end. I was not even close to thinking I would be called up, but it was a dream come true. I was pretty nervous to be honest: it’s the best league in the world and I got to play in that. I was very scared, but also proud of myself; I hope one day I can get back there.

What advice would you give other players coming to North America for their first times to play hockey?

It was hard because of missing my family but I think with Arizona and Tucson, it’s a place you want to be at. I talk to my family about it and friends; I just love it here. I love the weather and the friends I have made here who have become my family. I feel like I just try to enjoy the game and the family I have here with me. That’s how it went last year and I’m super excited for next season too.

Now that you have played a first full season in North America, is there anything that you are looking most forward to for season two?

I think just getting stronger and more mature; I feel like life is all about learning and I honestly can’t learn enough; especially with hockey since the game continues to grow. This season is to just learn more and continue to have fun.