With his arrival, Sparta reacts to the longer-term injured forwards Jani Lajunen from Finland and the American Josh Kestner.
“We had Stephen selected for a long time. Due to the extensive deterioration, long-term injuries and especially the demanding end of the season, we wanted him, because his strengths include not only productivity, but also versatility,” explains the head of Sparta’s sports department, Tomáš Divíšek.
“I had hints for several weeks, after which my agent came out last Monday saying that Sparta would be serious about me. Being involved in it is a huge opportunity for me,” adds Harper, who in his career played in the overseas OHL, AHL and ECHL before deciding to go to Europe the summer before last.
Photo: Jakub Pláteník / HC Sparta Prague
Stephen Harper
Specifically to Düsseldorf, Germany, where he collected 31 points in 54 games last season. Then he moved to Nitra, where he scored 14 goals and 16 assists in 28 matches.
“I’m Canadian, but I also have roots in Barbados and partly in Europe. I went there for hockey, because I had the opportunity to advance in terms of hockey and find out how hockey is played elsewhere. I liked my first year in Germany, so I decided to come back in the summer because spending a few years in Europe is a great experience for the whole family,” explains Harper, who as a teenager played in the OHL in the Erie Otters jersey with one of the best hockey players today, Connor McDavid from Edmonton.
Photo: Jakub Pláteník / HC Sparta Prague
Stephen Harper has already trained with Sparta
“Connor is a good friend of mine. We shared a room in junior high, so I know him very well. He is great. This summer I was in Canada camping where we met again for the first time in a few years. Long time no see as we both live in different parts of Canada so it was great to chat with him again. It’s cool to say you’re friends with the best player in the world,” smiles Harper.
Although he is primarily a striker, he is also capable of playing in defence. “I’ve played all three positions in the last three years, so you can definitely say that I’m quite versatile. I gained defensive experience mainly in juniors, I played defenseman for two years in Belleville in the OHL, which not many people know. But now I definitely consider myself a striker and I would like to stay in the attack,” explains the Canadian.
Photo: Jakub Pláteník / HC Sparta Prague
Stephen Harper is Sparta’s new signing
And Sparta is counting on him in the attack. “He knows how to move well in the area in front of the goal, he is a very good skater and can be very unpleasant for opponents on the ice. In my opinion, he should be an excellent player for the playoffs,” adds Divíšek.