“It was starting to miss Lions already”

Dozens of NHL players continue through the World Hockey Championships in Finland. As for the stars, the table setting has sometimes been tougher, but in this situation, every NHL player is sure to be received with open arms. The exclusion of NHL millionaires from the Beijing Olympics was such a big disappointment.

As a superstar of the lions, the Nashville striker shines Mikael Granlund, who arrived in Tampere on Friday. He stepped in front of the media during the first break of the Finnish and Norwegian World Cup. Granlund was not a mox at the long voyage across the sea.

– I always want to get to play in Lions and I enjoy every moment. That’s a big deal for me. It was starting to miss the Lions, Granlund was in the mood.

He threw himself into the hearts of Finns in Bratislava in 2011. Granlund’s first World Championships ended with a memorable golden celebration.

Now the striker is leaving for his sixth World Cup tournament. The belt also has one Olympics and one World Cup. For years, Granlund has been one of the Lions ’most loyal NHL players.

– There is nothing cooler than this to be able to play in the Lions home race.

He experienced the intoxication and pressure of home competitions already in 2012 and 2013 in Helsinki. They were left with two fourth places. First the golden dream was destroyed by Russia and then by Sweden.

This time, too, Finland is one of the championship favorites.

– Many countries have a chance to win, including Finland. Let’s hope we get something great done.

The highest paid player in the tournament is the US defender Seth Jones. She moved this season from Columbus to Chicago, where the man was turned into an 8-year contract totaling $ 76 million. Jones ’annual earnings thus rise to close to ten million a season.

– It was not a difficult decision to go to the World Cup. If I’m healthy, I’m always happy to wear a US shirt, Jones said after winning Latvia.

Surprisingly, the captain spoke directly about the star player’s pressure.

– Every time we play, there is pressure to play well and win. My shoulders have been loaded with more load than some others, but we win or lose as a team. I try to bring leadership and equality to the group.

Granlund’s Finland and Jones’ USA will meet on Monday at 8.20 pm in Tampere.