The Dunedin Thunder import hails from the Czech Republic and is in his second season with the team.
Otago has become like a second home to the 21-year-old and he talks about the team like it is his family.
It is that team unity which he says the Thunder will rely on if it is going to overcome a very talented Canterbury Red Devils side in game one of the finals series at the Dunedin Ice Stadium tomorrow evening.
''I think the key to win is play our system and play like a team and play for the team,'' he said.
''That is it. It is simple but that is right, I think.''
Game two is in Christchurch next Saturday and the decider, if required, will be played in Christchurch the following day.
The Devils will start as strong favourites.
They beat the Thunder 7-3 in the one-off final last year and have beaten their southern rivals in four round-robin games this season, including a 6-1 and 6-0 drubbing a couple of weeks ago when the sides last met.
But the Thunder won three of the four round-robin games last year before being outplayed in the final, so the form book could be misleading, Pokorny said''This year can be different and we can win.
''They are a pretty good team and they have a good few imports, who every game are scoring the most goals.
"If we shut down these players, I think that is how we can win.''
Latvian forward Vitaljis Hvorostinins has been in excellent touch for the Devils.
He is the fourth-leading point scorer with 14 goals and 18 assists.
Former Ice Black Chris Eaden has also been sharp up front with 15 goals.
The Devils' defence has been sharp as well.
It has conceded a league-best 58 goals - 3.6 a game.
The Thunder will look to Paris Heyd and Ben Gavoille to create a lot of play.
Pokorny has drilled six goals and usually plays on the left wing in the first line with Heyd and Gavoille.
The home team has the strike power to break down the Devils' defence but its confidence has taken a hit following losses in three of its last four games.
However, it secured a finals spot early and has made no secret about where its focus has been the past few weeks.
It was humbled in the 2013 final despite starting as favourite.
Most of that team has returned this year and are eager to improve on that result.
''It was the first final for a lot of guys in the team and pretty much everybody was very nervous.
"This year it will be for everyone the second year and I think it can be better.''
Ice hockey rivals football in popularity in the Czech Republic and Pokorny started ice skating when he was 4.
He played for his home city, Liberec, in an under-18 league.
But some injury setbacks and a desire to travel and improve his English led Pokorny to link up with the Thunder last year.
He remained in New Zealand at the end of the season and formed a close friendship with Grant and Andrea Cochrane.
He regularly visits the couple on their farm in the Catlins and describes them has his ''Kiwi family''.
Ice Hockey League
Finals series
Canterbury Red Devils V Dunedin Thunder
Game 1: August 24, Dunedin Ice Stadium, 5.30pm
Game 2: August 30, Alpine Ice Arena, Christchurch, 4.30pm
Game 3 (if required): August 31, Alpine Ice Arena, Christchurch, 4.30pm
Team statistics
Head to head (2014): Played 4, Devils 4, Thunder 0
Scoring efficiency: Devils 12.29%, Thunder 12.10%
Power play: Devils 28.57%, Thunder 27.03%
Penalty killing: Thunder 84.21%, Devils 75.32%
Individual statistics
Leading point scorers: Vitaljis Hvorostinins (Devils), 32 points (4th), Chris Eaden (Devils), 28 points (5th), Paris Heyd (Thunder), 28 points (6th), Dean Tonks (Devils), 25 points (9th).
Leading goal scorers: Eaden, 15 goals (4th), Hvorostinins, 14 goals (5th), Heyd, 14 goals (6th), Ben Gavoille (Thunder), 12 goals (7th).
Assist leaders: Hvorostinins, 18 assists (2nd), Tonks, 18 assists ( equal 3rd), Heyd, 14 assists (12th), Eaden, 13 assists (14th)>
Goal keepers (ranked by highest save percentage): Michael Coleman (Devils), 90.50 (1st), Matt Canaday (Thunder), 89.54 (3rd).
