Sakari Manninenwhat do you think of these three letters: A, H and L?
– Hahaha! Ice hockey series.
What kind of hockey series?
– Fast-paced, physical guy. Good struggles near the edge, small rink. Messy in places.
Manninen got to know the North American farm series for one season. However, the AHL was anything but what he expected to get from the other side of the Atlantic.
In May of last year, Manninen was a celebrated lion hero with a World Championship gold medal shining around his neck. After that, the attacker’s goal was to show his skills in the world’s toughest puck series. To the Golden Knights team.
The Vegas Golden Knights wanted Mannen in their ranks, but the golden color changed to the casino city’s silver version, the AHL club Henderson Silver Knights.
– I was surprised and also disappointed for him. It would have been great if he had gotten a chance in the NHL. Usually, when you acquire such a more experienced player, you are given a chance. Maybe “Mane” went to the wrong club after all, the head coach of the Lions Jukka Jalonen says.
How did it feel to move from the top of the nation’s closet to the bus league?
– Huh. Of course, it was a certain kind of disappointment when I ended up on the AHL side. It wasn’t what I went for. But we lived with it and were just you, says Manninen calmly.
No one seems to know the reasons why Manninen didn’t get even one screen spot on the NHL side during the entire season. The season of the Finnish striker was efficient enough. Manninen’s balance in 53 matches was 14 goals and 26 assists.
– Coaching decides that. Maybe they considered that this is such a small guy (172 centimeters) and they have slightly bigger center forwards. The NHL coaches probably haven’t paid attention to Mannis. Thrown in the AHL and then you’re there. They weren’t interested in him, Jalonen thinks.
– I don’t know what the reasons were for that. Was it in the change of coach or where, but it just didn’t go that way, Manninen says.
Manninen was not part of the head coach who came from Boston to Vegas this season Bruce Cassidy to the plans. Sometimes there were glimpses of an NHL spot, but the talks turned out to be just words.
The wife’s role is irreplaceable
Manninen has seen a lot as a hockey player. In addition to Finland, the Lions’ loanee has played in top clubs in Sweden and Russia. He was already 30 years old when he left for North America. Fortunately, Manninen thinks.
– If I had been in my twenties, it could have been quite different.
Many, both physically and mentally, leave the game in the heavyweight division if they are not blessed with a spot in the NHL – even a screen spot. The AHL is far from the bright lights of the NHL, also in terms of salary.
For Manni, returning to Europe was not an option.
– It didn’t make me a worse player or person that I played in the AHL for a year. And luckily, the team was in the same city, i.e. Vegas, where we lived. In that sense, it was easy, he says.
– If you come back (to Europe) after a few months, what will be the benefit? It’s definitely good that you stayed there, in my opinion. Mane is a character guy. However, he had gone there for a year and pulled out at the end of the season. Then he’ll see what he does next season, says Jalonen.
However, without his wife, Manninen’s trip could have been different.
– It would have been tough without my wife. In his life outside Kavalo, he wants his wife to be by his side. If he had been in Finland for example, then… well, it would have been tough. We decided that we are not apart. If we go, both will go, says Manninen.
Manninen’s exaggerations never end when he talks about the role and importance of his wife.
– We have our own shared life, and nothing that comes from outside of it will interrupt it. Foundation stone and pillar. We enjoy each other’s company and we support each other, he says.
What kind of lesson did the AHL season offer?
– In terms of ice hockey, fighting and directness. There is also culture outside the ice. In that sense, it was a nice experience.
What kind of culture?
– Well, it was the first time we were in the Yankees. It was nice to return to Finland. You noticed how well we have things compared to there.
Tell me more.
– Finnish nature and food, their purity. Let’s just start with vegetables and fruits. Here in Finland, tomatoes taste like tomatoes. There it didn’t taste like what it is. When we arrived in Finland, at the first hotel breakfast, we noticed a difference in what we put in our mouths.
Were there other culture shocks?
– Well, at least the fact that there are so many drive-in places there (in Vegas). Pharmacies, cafes, you can go to all of them via the car lane. It was surprising.
“I don’t follow”
Manninen is now in a familiar place. In the national team, at home games in Tampere. At the same time, Vegas is playing in the NHL playoffs.
Are you following Golden Knights highlights?
– No, I don’t follow. I haven’t really followed the NHL before.
For real?
– Sometimes you can watch the results, but I don’t follow the games anyway.
Is there a specific reason for that?
– I do not know. Even though I went to North America, I didn’t follow there either. Many people always watch NHL highlights, but I have never watched. It hasn’t been my thing. I don’t know what’s in it.
Finally, let’s go back to these World Cups. The tournament ends again with Finland winning the gold. What happens after that, for you?
– It really doesn’t work like that, now we start pushing one game at a time. If you play well enough, then there is a chance to win. Luck must also be involved. But let’s accept the challenge, that is, as a team.
But what about after the Games, what do you do?
– I do not know. It blows for a while in the summer. You’ll see that later.
Are there any wishes for next season?
– Is not. Let’s take care of this first and think about it later. There are guys working there to look at the places that are. No stress is taken.
The NHL dream, is it still alive?
– No decisions have been made yet. We’ll look at them later.
For many players, the World Cup tournament is a showcase for bigger leagues. Jukka Jalonen also knows that well. Of course, Manninen has already given his evidence.
– He wants to show again. However, there are quite a few NHL players here again. And I think that Manninen is not the worst of that group. At least there never has been until now.
Finland will face the USA today, Friday, in the opening match of the World Ice Hockey Championships at 4:20 p.m. follows the match moment by moment on its website and in the app.