Michal Handzus played for six teams throughout his 15-plus years in the NHL. Of all his stops, Chicago was his favorite.

Winning a Stanley Cup with the Chicago Blackhawks helped enhance his experience, but it was more than that. He also loved the city. And all those reasons factored into why he and his family decided to spend the fall in Chicago before returning to his home in Slovakia. When he gets back home, the 39-year-old Handzus does plan on playing another season. He recorded 28 points in 40 games last season.

Handzus has been attending Blackhawks’ games while in Chicago and was on hand Sunday for Marian Hossa’s 500th goal ceremony and the Blackhawks’ 3-0 win over the Los Angeles Kings. I caught up with Handzus after the game.

Scott Powers: What it was like to be here for Hossa’s ceremony?

Michal Handzus: It was fun. I was at the game when he scored the 500th goal. I went to the game because I was hoping I can catch it. It’s fun. It’s a big accomplishment. It’s really something. It was fun.

SP: What keeps you in Chicago now?

MH: We came here to visit for three months. We want our son to learn more English, put him in a preschool. It’s something we love the city. We have a lot of friends here, so it’s nice to be back here for a bit.

SP: What was it about Chicago you enjoyed so much?

MH: Obviously I have great memories of winning the Cup here. I still have a lot of friends here. It was my last stop in my career. We love the city. The city is great, so all kind of put together.

SP: You still enjoy coming to the games?

MH: Oh, yeah. It’s fun. It’s fun to see the NHL. To see the level of the play is awesome. It’s fun.

Richard Panik has impressed Michal Handzus. (Aaron Doster/USA TODAY Sports)

SP: Nice to see Richard Panik (who is also Slovakian) play as well as he has?

MH: We always knew he was great. But finally he had a chance and took it. Hopefully, he can keep going.

SP: I know you played last season. Do you plan on playing this season again?

MH: Yeah, I played the last two years in my hometown. I was thinking of retiring in the summer, but I decided I’ll come back, but only for a short season starting in December or something.

SP: Are you training now?

MH: I skated with the Blackhawks a little bit before the training camp. But now I’m just in the gym kind of catching up to conditioning. We’re going back home in November and then I’ll start skating.

SP: What still drives you to play hockey?

MH: When I finished here, I said I’m going to play until it’s not fun playing. I still have fun playing. Obviously we’re living in my hometown, so we sort of settled in back home. I love to play for my hometown. I grew up there. It’s been fun there. If I have fun, I’ll play.