Ice hockey’s reigning Stanley Cup winner arrived in Finland on Tuesday. Aleksander Barkov assigned the role of master of ceremonies to Anton Lundell.
Joel Sippola,
Jussi Saarinen
17:46•Updated 18:05
The champion Florida Panthers have a hectic day. First, the team went to beat the Buffalo Sabers on the night between Monday and Tuesday Finnish time.
Soon after, the flight left for Finland. Last season’s champion arrived at the Finnish chamber late in the afternoon.
On Friday and Saturday, the Florida Panthers will play two top matches against the Dallas Stars in Tampere.
– It’s wonderful to be here. It was nice to fly here after yesterday’s victory. It has been great to notice the enthusiasm of the whole team to come here. The Finnish players must be proud to have such an opportunity, Florida’s GM Bill Zito commented in a good-natured way to the group of reporters.
Florida’s players first spend time in Helsinki before moving to the gaming city. Finns are the captain of the team in Florida Alexander Barkov, Anton Lundell, Eetu Luostarinen, Niko Mikkola and assistant coach Tuomo Ruutu.
Barkov, who grew up in Tampere, was excited that Anton Lundell, who is from Helsinki, will be responsible for the presentation of the city to his team in Helsinki.
– I said that it’s ok, let’s take care of it. I’ll be happy to show them favorite places. It’s also great that they get a piece of Finnish culture, comments Lundell.
Luostarinen, who often plays in the same chain with Lundell, says that the team plans to at least get to know Finnish food and nature.
– We will not go on the ice from the beginning of the week. There is a little sauna. Then we go to Tampere. For example, we go to Näsinneula, Luostarinen explained in more detail.
Barkov, Rantanen, Lehkonen?
Barkov is the most followed player in the Finnish team.
– The food here is good. I miss it when I’m in America. I think all guys love food. It’s great to go to the sauna and take a dip in the ocean or the sea.
Finns play in Dallas Miro Heiskanen, Roope Hintz and Esa Lindell.
Are you going to visit them before the games?
– I don’t think so. They are also in a hurry to show the city. See you in the corners in the rink.
Barkov played against Buffalo in real action from injury. He immediately hit the powers 1+1.
Finnish ice hockey fans were worried about whether Barkov would be fit to play in Tampere. Suomalaistahtih himself was not worried at any point.
– It didn’t occur to me. Pretty quickly after the injury I started to feel better. I tried to get back as quickly as possible.
In February, a national team tournament marinated with NHL players will be played, where Canada, the USA, Sweden and Finland will play. The name lists will be locked at the turn of November-December.
Barkov has already been selected for the team, and in speculations he has been placed in the first chain Mikko Rantanen and Artturi Lehkonen with.
How would such a joke taste?
– You can twist them with any number of chains. Mikko has had the best seasons in the NHL. That would be cool.
Barkov has talked to the head coach Antti Pennanen with some things.
– Not so much about regular players, because as a coach he knows more. He has asked for some tips about how to play in North America. We met in Tampere and had good discussions about it. There isn’t much time to polish patterns, but you have to train right away.
Ruutu was interested
In addition to the four-country tournament, the Florida players were asked a lot about assistant coach Tuomo Ruutuu.
North Americans in particular were interested in Ruuttu’s importance as a coach.
– He has been a big help in my career. He is really wise and helpful, which is beneficial for us athletes. He knows small details that I can focus on, comments Lundell.
The head coach Paul Maurice sees a lot of potential in Ruudu as a coach. Maurice, who twice led Florida to the Stanley Cup finals, is a great mentor for Ruudu.
– It is the best school there can be. I try to learn as much as I can every day. I try to keep my ears my eyes and open. I try to learn from the players as well.