Meet Islanders Defensive Prospect Tomáš Machů

Information about the New York Islanders‘ 2021 seventh-round pick, Tomáš Machů, has been hard to come by. So I decided to take matters into my own hands, because what better way to find out more about him than from the source? In my interview with Machů, we talked about his experiences both on and off the ice, and what it means to now be part of the Islanders organization.

Interview With New York Islanders Prospect Tomáš Machů

To start off, can you pronounce your name because I know a lot of fans were wondering?

It’s Toh-mah-sh Mah-oo.

Is there a nickname you usually go by?

Yeah, it’s Mahy.

How did you find out you were drafted?

It’s a very interesting story I think, because it was about midnight here in the Czech Republic and I was about to go to sleep. My phone rang, so I opened my phone and I saw that I was drafted. It was such a wonderful moment and I’m so grateful for this.

Did you know anything about the Islanders? Have you followed them at all?

Yeah, I saw they played really well last season, so I keep my fingers crossed for them this season.

The Islanders are very much a defense-first team, with everything built around a defensive system. As a defenseman does that excite you or does it make you a bit nervous, knowing that defense has such a big role?

I think it’s very important to play defense, but you will have to score some goals.

Our Captain, Anders Lee, he was also chosen in the later rounds, and now he’s the captain and also one of the best players on the team. Does that serve as extra motivation, knowing that even being picked in the later rounds you can do it?

The draft was also motivation. So there’s always motivation to make the NHL. But we will see. I will work hard, and we will see.

Who was your favorite player growing up?

I love watching offensive-defensemen, because as you know I’m a two-way defenseman. So I liked Erik Karlsson and players like that.

Going back to the last two seasons, do you feel like COVID and the pandemic impacted your development at all?

I don’t think so that much. I played not many games last year so it was bad, but then I played in the Czech second league and that really helped me to get better in men’s hockey. Junior league was stopped in our country, so it was a very tough time last season.

Going off of that, while you were locked down, is there anything fun you started doing that you usually don’t?

I spent a lot of time watching Netflix, but also working hard at home. I had a full season of skating and doing skills — stuff like that — so it was like a training season.

Speaking of Netflix, what’s your favorite TV show?

Money Heist.

Your favorite movie?

Fast and Furious. I did driving lessons last week, so I’m driving now.

Do you have any particular superstitions or rituals that you do before a game?

Rituals? I don’t think so. But when I go on the ice, I’m always stepping down to the ice with my right foot.

Have you ever visited New York?

No. I have been in Canada, but I have never visited the United States.

Favorite all-around athlete?

I like playing tennis so maybe Novak Djokovic.

Any other hobbies?

Tennis, that’s the first one, but I also love playing basketball and riding bikes.

Favorite musician?

Drake.

Is there a pregame meal you usually have?

I switch it up, but it’s always some kind of pasta.

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Machů is playing with HC Vítkovice Ridera of the Czech Extraliga this season. As one of the youngest players to have been eligible for the 2021 draft, I am very much looking forward to following his development.