‘“I still remember to this day he basically told me, ‘Matej, if you want to be a doctor, go to school; if you want to be a hockey player, come here,’ ” Pekar recalled. “He was a strong believer that it was a better way for me to develop myself. He was part of the decision that I took that route. I’m very thankful that he was part of it. He was a great guy, a great coach. It hit me hard.”’