Tomas Hertl Opens Up About His Emotional Return To San Jose

“I’ll just be myself. I always smile,” Vegas Golden Knights forward Tomas Hertl said about how he’ll attempt to control his emotions when he faces the San Jose Sharks tonight.

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Hertl returns to the SAP Center for the first time since he was traded on March 8, 2024, in a shocking deadline move. The centerman was, and probably still is, a fan favorite for Sharks fans.

Related: BREAKING: Sharks Trade Tomas Hertl To Rival Golden Knights

“The last time I was here was the day I got traded. It was a long time ago. I wasn’t here for 10 months. All the memories come back from when you drove on the bus because both [of my] kids were born here. I got 11 years [that] nobody will take from me,” Hertl told reporters. “I will never play with another team that long. It was definitely a special time to be here, not just for me but also for my family. My wife [and] kids, but my family back home, because we really spent a lot of time here. The organization and the fans always were great to me, and I was very lucky I could start my career here.”

According to head coach Bruce Cassidy, Hertl has begun to find his game for the Golden Knights. The center has ten goals and 14 assists in 34 games for Vegas.

Hertl has never been to the visitor’s side of the SAP Center, but he said he’s still getting used to it.

“I don’t think I was ever in this room. I played here for 11 years. I was never in this room. So it’s definitely a heavier feeling coming out, not from the Shark head, but from the other side,” Hertl said. “Especially tonight will be the weirdest. Being on the other side of warmups. But at the same time, I’m excited to be back. See the fans after a long time, and obviously, I’m still coming here to win two points, but obviously, I want to enjoy it and have a good time here.”

The former top Sharks center reflected on the trade and told reporters he felt he had no more prime opportunities to win a Stanley Cup.

“I’m a competitive guy. The Sharks gave me everything and gave me a great career, and they’ve always been great to me. At the time, when the offer came, I just couldn’t say no because I still am, I think, in my prime. I can help teams win hockey games,” Hertl said. “Vegas is in a great spot with a great team. And I couldn’t say no, because nobody can guarantee you can win a Stanley Cup, but I felt there was a chance. I just want to grab it and try to fight for it.”

The 31-year-old said he still roots for the San Jose Sharks only after the Golden Knights. He feels that the trade between the two sides worked out well.

“They’re going full rebuild. They now have great players [like Macklin Celebrini]. He’s on the rise, and hopefully, [he will] turn this organization around,” Hertl said. “I still follow [the Sharks]. After [my] games, I’m watching the Sharks. I still have friends here. After our game, I will always be cheering for them because I was here for so long and want to see them do better and turn this team around. At that time, I felt it could be my last chance, and I was happy that both sides figured [something] out and worked it out, and I could move.”

Hertl said he’s been thrilled with his tenure with the Vegas Golden Knights. The forward explained that losing was taking a toll on him in San Jose, but he knew he needed to be a leader for the organization until he was traded.

“When you win a lot of hockey games, everything gets pretty easy,” Hertl said. “I almost forgot over the last couple of years, honestly, how fun it is to win a lot of games. You can win any game. The last couple of years [in San Jose] were pretty tough. When you’re one of the leaders, and you try like hell, but the winning wasn’t coming, it wasn’t easy.”

The Czech forward said he expects to feel emotional during warmups, but once the puck drops, he feels he will be able to play the game he loves.

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