Dream To Nhl Reality -- Once Disappointed, Papa Nedved Now Happy For Son

VANCOUVER, B.C. - Someday, if they make the movie of Petr Nedved's life in hockey - with today's results playing a prominent part - the roles of his parents will be offered to lookalikes Roy Scheider and Sandra Locke.

Yesterday, Jaroslav and Sonja Nedved just stood patiently in the lobby of the Pan Pacific Hotel and watched their son interviewed for Canadian national television.

Seeing them, proud parents of a determined young man who will be one of the first players picked in the annual National Hockey League draft here today, one finds where Petr got his straight and slender build, his graceful manner and his hazel eyes.

Speaking with Papa Nedved, one finds also where Petr got his will to leave his family, defect and wind up with the Seattle Thunderbirds last season.

Not even Petr, interpreting from Czechslovakian, could soften his father's words or feelings. ``I was disappointed with Petr's decision. I would have preferred him to stay and play with a first division team at home,'' said the senior Nedved, who played for the Czech national team and now coaches in Liberec.

``I would like to have seen how he played and developed. But I am pleased he did well and I am happy he succeeded in his dream.''

Jaroslav's emotion comes mainly from concern. When the family got word of Petr's defection from the Litvinov junior elite team playing in a Calgary tournament last April, his father did not believe it.

Nedved drove hundreds of miles to Prague where the team's plane was scheduled to land. When fog closed the airport and the plane was diverted to Bratislava, Jaroslav drove there.

He went home alone. In Calgary, Petr had gone to a police station at two in the morning and asked for political asylum. He wound up staying with a Czech family, Tony and Halina Kondel, and did not see his parents until they flew to Calgary last week.

``At first I was in shock,'' Sonja said, through Halina Kondel - Petr had to go to a photo session with other potential first-round picks. ``Even the chimes of our favorite old grandfather clock bothered me. When I finally began to sleep again, they woke me and reminded me that Petr was gone.''

Petr's grandmother, Vlasta, missed him. So too his 21-year-old brother, Jaroslav, Jr. ``They are very close,'' Sonja said.

She said Petr called every two or three weeks. And he wrote sometimes, too. ``Yes,'' Papa said with a wry smile, ``a postcard or two. Hello. Goodbye.''

While Petr's sudden decision stunned his family, they had been aware of his desire.

``From age two,'' Jaroslav said, ``all he wanted to be was a hockey player and play for the biggest league he could. Of course, we did not realize he meant the NHL.''

Age two, a reported asked, holding up two fingers and getting a firm nod in return.

Sonja said something with a laugh in Czechslovakian and held her hands semi-sideways. ``He skated on his ankles,'' Halina explained.

Jaroslav held two fingers down this time and spoke. ``Skates with double runners,'' Halina pointed out. ``His father pulled him along the ice.''

Does Sonja skate? ``Pretty well,'' she said. And her husband jibed something that sounded like ``kuchnya.''

``Best in the kitchen,'' Halina translated, to laughter.

Friends and neighbors in Liberec were concerned for the Nedveds, and curious about their son's decision. The government took an official stance, too.

``The Department of External Affairs offered assistance in bringing Petr back,'' Nedved said, `` . . . if he wanted to come back. Of course, it was different then and now there have been so many changes.''

While Nedved helped the Thunderbirds make the playoffs, the Communist government of Czechslovakia lost its hold on the country. One of the changes is that Nedved, who had to hide to defect, has been joined here for the draft by Czech junior players Jaromir Jagr and Jiri Slegr, who obtained visas and flew over.

``No problem - now,'' Jaroslav Nedved said and Sonja added, ``Just yesterday, we found out we won't even needed visas any more to go to some countries, like Austria and Italy.''

The Nedveds also flew in - carrying a tin of ``orechovy rolicky,'' Petr's favorite homemade hazelnut cookies - to see about this new country of Petr's. And to see Petr again.

``It is a great country with wonderful people,'' Jaroslav said. ``And Petr? He has grown up. He has changed as young people do, has broader knowledge than two years ago and is hungry to succeed, but we are happy to find he is still a good person.''

At this, both Tony and Halina Kondel nod emphatically. ``He is a pleasure to have with our family,'' Tony said. ``As I'm sure the people in Seattle know, he is an exceptionally thoughtful and strong person.''

After today's NHL draft, Petr Nedved will also become a somewhat wealthy person, by any country's standards. He is sure to be one of the first four players taken, perhaps by Russ Farwell, former Seattle general manager, now with the Philadelphia Flyers. They draft fourth and Farwell has been trying to trade up to increase his outside chance at Nedved.

But the Nedveds have not been thinking of money lately, not with their family partially reunited, not with son Petr healthy and happy.

``It has been hard to be without him,'' Sonja said. ``But the worst is over and soon Petr will come home for a visit. After that, all that will be left is making his dream come true.''

She paused and conferred with Halina, who urged her, ``go ahead.'' Halina said, ``She has been practicing something to tell the press.

Slowly, firmly . . . bravely, Sonja Nedved said in English, ``I am very happy for Petr.''