PRAGUE -- Czech Republic native David Krejci has found ways to impress on different levels so far in his NHL career. On the ice, he's a rising star who at 24 years of age may be a year or two from his prime seasons. Off the ice, he's very articulate and insightful when it comes to hockey and different cultures.

Krejci's return to his native country with the Bruins has naturally resulted in him being presented with several questions about the land and its tradition (Krejci took a couple of teammates out for goulash on Sunday). But it was his departure from the Czech Republic that has shaped the type of player and person he is. 

Growing up in Sternberk, about three and a half hours southeast of Prague, Krecji played a season of juniors in the Czech Republic and became the Bruins' first pick (63rd overall) of the 2004 draft. From there he made a two-year pitstop in Canada, where he would play junior hockey in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

For a wide-eyed 18-year-old with no North American connections, leaving the only country he knew for a heavy dose of unfamiliarity was an experience that saw major adjustments but eventually big rewards. 

"I had a new family I didn't know, a different language I didn't know, new country, new culture, everything. It was really tough, but there's a point at three or four months, if you get past it, you kind of get used to it," Krejci said on Monday. "You start learning the language, and you mature much faster than if you'd stay here. 

"I think that's helped me a lot with my hockey, too. I was training my body and myself that I was playing professional hockey already when I was in juniors. I had no friends, no family, so I was preparing myself for every practice, for every game, and I believe it helped me a lot."

Krejci's dedication to his craft showed. He proved himself as a point-a-game player in 2004-05, his first season as a Gatineau Olympique (63 points in 62 games). Still, in returning to Sternberk following the season, he began to remember what he had been missing. 

"I was happy I got out of [the Czech Republic], but you get homesick a little bit, too. Especially if you go away with no friends, no family, you've got to meet new people. It's not easy," Krejci said. "I was really excited to come back home and I didn't want to leave back for Canada for my second year, but every year I got to know more people, not just in hockey, but off the ice, and that helps mentally much more than anyone can imagine."

Krejci did return to Canada, and after picking up 81 points in 55 games in 2005-06, he officially joined the ranks of the Bruins, skating in 69 games for Providence and six for Boston. Though he continues to return home each offseason, the past two for just three or four weeks apiece given his recoveries from hip and wrist surgery, he's found that each moment in the Czech Republic is precious. 

"It's always good to see family, but I get only limited time, so I've lost lots of friends that were just good friends," Krejci said. "You've just basically got to keep [in touch] with your best friends and your family over the years. Once you go back home for a few weeks, you can't see them all so you just want to see your family and your best friends. That's how it is. You meet new people in Boston and that's the life. You're losing friends and you're making new ones. That's how it is."

The Bruins will play HC Liberec at Tipsport Arena on Tuesday night, which is certainly something Krejci is excited for. He noted that it's a great hockey environment and that "every game is sold out there," adding, "You'll see tomorrow. It's going to be something cool."

Taking in the true essence of the hockey environment in the country is something that his teammates are looking forward to doing as well. For Krejci, he gets to do so with the familiarity that made him love the game and his home country throughout his hockey playing life.

"Hockey's the number one sport [here], and when I played for the Czech team in the Olympics last year, I was just proud to wear the jersey and try to do my best. We had so much support from the country and from the people here, even if the games were [late] at night or early in the morning, it was pretty cool, and you can see it here. The NHL for us is the best league in the world and that's how they've treated us here so far."

Krejci is coming off a slight statistical setback last season, his 52 points lagging behind the 73 he had registered a year prior, though the Bruins' offense as a whole took a giant step backwards in the 2009-10 season. Even so, Krejci is penciled in as the team's first-line center entering the season, skating with Milan Lucic and newcomer Nathan Horton. This preseason has been a lot about the team finding an offensive identity after finishing last year with a league-worst 2.39 goals per game. In such an important preseason, Krejci appreciates being able to enjoy the added perks of traveling to Belfast and his native country.

"It's a little different than the previous years, but it's pretty special," Krejci said. "We have more fun. The guys experience different cultures, different countries. It's pretty cool for me as well."

Krejci is expecting about 20 relatives at the games, meaning he should be getting the same type of family turnout that Shawn Thornton received in Belfast. After speaking very highly of the Belfast leg of the trip, he isn't hiding his excitement to spend the week in the Czech Republic, though Krecji is also making clear that the trip won't truly be a success unless the Bruins come away with their first four points of the season. 

"It's a really good feeling and everything's been great so far. Even in Belfast, it was a good time and I just hope that we can have a good game tomorrow and finish it off Saturday and Sunday with the season opening and everybody's going to have a good time and I'm going to go back to Boston happy," Krejci said. "That's all I want."