Jesse Puljujärvi, who has recovered from hip surgery, is currently playing in the AHL bowls. The attacker, who is targeted by Urheilu, is aiming for a return to the NHL.
Jesse Puljujärvi, 25, is back. The winger, who has been recovering from major hip surgery for about half a year, signed a trial contract with the NHL club Pittsburgh Penguins at the beginning of December, but he did not get to play in real action in Pittsburgh.
Puljujärvi trained mostly off the ice in Pittsburgh.
A few days ago, Puljujärvi signed a similar, indefinitely valid so-called PTO (Professional try out) contract with Pittsburgh’s AHL club Wilkes/Barre Scranton Penguins, where the Finn finally got to play last weekend – for the first time since last season.
Puljujärvi played two of the weekend’s three matches without power.
Urheilu caught up with the man from the middle of AHL everyday life.
– Of course, it has been a long process to come back. The goal for the last month has been to get to play. It’s been a long journey, but it opens up the opportunity to still play good puck. The most important thing now was to be able to play without pain, begins Puljujärvi, who has a background in Torniola.
It goes without saying that the feeling of the game is not at the best level, when it was about eight months since the last match. This is certainly also the reason why the NHL club Penguins wanted Puljujärvi to start from a farm.
– The weekend was spent feeling the body and new movements. However, I was able to play and enjoy it, but small things still need to be polished in the game. More I could have stayed on the puck and stuff. You have to react better and get your feet involved so that you can be a really good player again. That’s what we’re looking for here, bringing out the best.
How Puljujärvi’s situation towards a possible NHL contract is progressing is still heavily shrouded in darkness. On the NHL side, Pittsburgh will certainly keep an eye on the Finn’s situation, but there is no information about the next transfers yet.
– The plan is that the AHL is one step in being able to play good puck again in the NHL. When I left for the farm, we agreed that the situation would be monitored in peace. We’re going one day at a time in relation to the NHL, Puljujärvi clarifies.
Returning to Finland or Europe was never an option for the recovering winger.
– Throughout the rehabilitation process, I have said that the NHL is the number one goal and that is what we are going towards.
Tail down
Puljujärvi still has enough land to work on before the door to the NHL opens. You have to find sharpness and fluidity for skating, and a general NHL-level feel for playing. Puljujärvi, who had surgery last season with severe pain, knows that he is still in the process with new hips.
– I feel much better now than last year, but I still need to get my legs working. Confidence and balance for skating, such powerful skating in a good position. The power is now in the body, you just have to get it out of there. The balance I’m looking for here is that I can use the new movement trajectories that are there in the game.
The changes that have been made to the skater’s skating position during the rehabilitation period bring their own spice to the whole.
– Changes have been made to it. Of course, I want the rear lower, so I don’t have to reach all the time to go. For skating, balance is sought here so that the position comes automatically.
Will we see Jesse Puljujärvi again this season in the NHL?
– That’s the goal.
Puljujärvi’s AHL-Penguins will play their next matches on Saturday and Sunday morning, when they face the farm teams of Boston and New York Islanders in away matches.