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Teddy Blueger - Playing at pro level is harder than people think |
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Teddy Blueger (Teodors Blugers) is one of the highest drafted highest drafted Latvians (No.3 overall in the nation) only behind Sandis Ozolins and Zemgus Girgensons. He was drafted in the 2nd round of 2012 NHL entry draft #52 overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Teodors Blugers is his birth name but since moving to North America his name has been Americanized for easier pronunciation. He left his home country while he was the 14-year-old young teenager but now he has played through his 1st NHL contract.
Looking back at his career so far and recent World Championships he was interviewed by a Latvian National Television's show - ''Sporta Studija''.
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'We came home from the World Championships, people say it doesn't matter that we lost in the quarter-finals that we did a great job'' he reflected on the most recent tournament he had worn the red and white colors for Team Latvia.
''Playing at a pro level is harder than people think, it's harder than I ever thought, the competition is bigger than we ever expected'' he said. ''Everything is at it's best.''
Bleuger was very open about AHL saying that the league has so many great players that could play in the NHL and the difference between those who make it and those who don't is very small.
''You have to be playing your best every day, and if you won't be good enough someone will just replace you,'' he noted. ''I want to be playing higher, I want to be playing in the NHL. I have to concentrate on the work I have to do to improve year-by-year to get where I want to be.''
The 23-year old Latvian earned his first NHL call-up this season and he was expected to play in one of the games during his few weeks with the Pittsburgh Penguins but unfortunately for him, it didn't happen.
''I was on the ice for warmups, I was ready to play but at the last moment, I was told that I wouldn't get to play that game. I sat there for two weeks, I kept warming up, I really wanted to play.''
He also noted that when he was re-assigned to AHL squad one of the coaches came up to him and said that it was intended for him to get a game or two. The youngster is still hoping to get his chance with the NHL squad.
On his future contract with the Penguins, he wasn't too revealing but stated that all he can do is show himself on the ice. It's now agents job to get something done.
''I just have to wait, be patient. I can't be freaking out because it won't do any good for me and I'm not really thinking about it right now.''
Where does he see himself in five years?
''Right now I have to say NHL, probably Pittsburgh but things happen, you can get traded. But right not it's Pittsburgh and fighting for the Stanley Cup.''
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