Valtteri Filppula immediately succeeded in scoring in the Joker’s shirt. The new head coach Risto Dufva immediately flashed “Dufvism” in the interview.
Micke Suopuro,
Jussi Saarinen
21:31•Updated 21:50
Valtteri Filppula the debut in the Joker’s jersey could not have been more memorable. The second period barely lasted a minute, when Filppula dunked the puck past the TUTO goalkeeper Emil Vuorion.
Above all, the captain led his team to the opening victory of the season – to the delight of more than six thousand spectators who came to the ice rink in Helsinki. The final numbers were 5–0 for the Jokers.
– There was a lot of energy from the audience, the atmosphere was great and the guys played really well. In all aspects, the good feeling remained, Filppula described in an interview with Urheilu.
The points were also the first for the new head coach Risto Dufvan under whom Filppula is a familiar man.
– We know many from ten years ago. We have joint trips to the puck rinks. That also influenced my own decision, because I can trust him and he can trust me. An excellent thing for Finnish ice hockey, Dufva said about the main hero of the evening.
“Valle” praises “Ripa”
Konkariluotsi himself admitted that he was nervous about the match. His coaching career in the SM league ended last spring.
– I was tuned in. There’s no point in denying it. I’d be the wrong guy for this if that wasn’t the case. When an old warhorse smelled a gunpowder cart, it started to squeal itself, the puck philosopher said.
– Thank you very much To Tero Määtä. It’s great to come here because the team is well coached, Dufva thanked the former head coach who remained in the coaching group.
According to the group, Filppulakin is happy about Dufva’s arrival.
– “Ripa” has a lot of experience. It’s only good for our team. Tero also stayed and that is a wonderful thing for us, Filppula emphasizes.
Having won Olympic gold, the world championship and the Stanley Cup in his career, Filppula’s next goal is to advance to the SM league in the ranks of his beloved club. Filppula worked his way up from the Jokers to the NHL, where he played more than a thousand games.
– “Vallekaan” has not seen everything. He has not entered the SM league as a player, head coach Dufva reminds.
– The goals are high. The game has to go forward throughout the season in order for that to happen, Filppula states.
The youth mentor has not had to mentor yet
The Jokers’ 19-year promise Onni Lind couldn’t believe his ears when he first heard the rumor about Filppula joining the Jokers.
– When this came true, I was like “oh my god”. That’s just how it happened. Funny guy, quiet in the booth, but leads the way on and off the ice. I try to learn as much as possible, Lind says.
According to Konkar himself, young people do not need to be kicked forward.
– I try to help as much as possible, but young people are really hard at work. There is no need to say or show anything about it yet, Filppula pointed out.