In Carolina, the competition for ice time is significantly tougher than in Edmonton, which raises the bar for Jesse Puljujärvi to a record high.
You could have imagined that a player trade from Edmonton to Carolina would have been Jesse to Puljujärvi, 22, great relief. However, there was more to the range of emotions. Six years in Canada left a mark on the player.
– I was in the hall when I heard about it. There was a lot of emotion involved. It was quite sad to say goodbye to everyone and that it was really here, Puljujärvi expressed the mood.
– Needless to say, there was a lot of longing involved. I’ve experienced a lot here and I’m really grateful for everything.
At the same time, Puljujärvi was excited about the new opportunity.
Playing times of less than eight minutes no longer took Puljujärvi’s NHL career anywhere. In Carolina, the competition for ice time is even tougher, but at least the player gets a clean slate.
– I know many guys from there and they have a top team. I’m really happy that I can join it and hopefully I can bring my own strengths to the whole.
In Carolina, Puljujärvi will probably have a role similar to that in Edmonton. A power forward plays in the base chains, where the task is to strip, grind, hair and play with quality at both ends of the field. Puljujärvi seems to be well aware of realism itself.
– The important thing is just to get to play and do it with a good work ethic. I put everything into the game and push there with a tremendous amount of work to bring fury playing and happy and positive mood. The idea is to bring good energy and then the game brings what it brings.
dear friend, Sebastian Ahon Puljujärvi hardly plays next to the top chain. The two played together for the first time in Kärpi already in their teenage years, and that joint journey culminated in the youth World Championship gold in Helsinki in the winter of 2016.
– It feels really good and exciting. After all, it’s been a while since the last time we were really active, even though we used to play a lot and in the summer we have a lot to do. It’s amazing to be on the same team with an old friend, Puljujärvi was excited.
– A little bit of that already with Ahon and “Teukan” (Teuvo Teräväinen) were texted with. Let’s talk for real.
Big chance
For Puljujärvi, the opportunity to grab a spot from a team that is seriously aiming for the Stanley Cup is a challenge that many NHL players only dream of. If successful, Puljujärvi’s story may take a dramatic turn for the better in Raleigh.
– The thought of playing in a Stanley Cup-level team evokes absolutely fantastic emotions. I hope I can help as much as possible and that way we can get as far as possible in the spring. That would be awesome.
The most important display of Puljujärvi’s NHL career is at hand. If it took some time to get into the team in Edmonton, now a more experienced player has to get to the core quickly.
Puljujärvi’s adaptation is helped by the fact that four other Finns play in Carolina.
– I intend to be myself and a good team player, Puljujärvi summarized.