TAMPERE. Finland and Canada will play in Tampere on Thursday at 20:20 for a place in the medal games of the World Ice Hockey Championship. Made a breakthrough in the NHL Juuso Välimäki lives right next to the arena, but he missed the WC tournament. The Lions would certainly have had use for a versatile deck.
– I would have liked to play in my hometown, but unfortunately my body was not in such a condition that I would have been able to play sensibly. Sorry, but nothing can be done. Isn’t there still an opportunity to put on the Leijonpaita, Välimäki tells Urheilu.
He does not want to comment on his injury situation in detail, but the man does not need surgery. Välimäki should be in full swing when the next season starts.
He was a reliable player in the junior national teams, but at the adult level, he has not experienced prestigious competitions.
Now below is the best season of the career in the NHL. Välimäki quickly got responsibility in Arizona and used his opportunities excellently. He played 78 games with an average of more than 18 minutes per game and scored his record 4+30=34 points.
A big factor in the background is the Coyotes’ head coach Andre Tourigny, under which Välimäki blossomed. It’s no wonder that when Välimäki is asked for his opinion on Tourigny, there is no end to the praise.
– I really like him as a person and as a coach. He has authority and a level of demands, but also an understanding that mistakes will happen, and they will not be punished, Välimäki begins.
Tourigny grew up on a farm in the Canadian state of Quebec. The man has said that he learned a hard work ethic from his father.
– I woke up at 6:30 in the morning and at that point my father had already been working for a couple of hours, Tourigny has stated.
In Välimäki’s opinion, the work ethic can be seen in the fact that Tourigny studies a lot of videos and wants to improve all the time. On the ice, Arizona’s goal is to be the hardest-working team in the entire NHL.
– He emphasizes the importance of basic things, such as shaving the back. Basic things are easy for everyone to do, because it’s not about skill but about attitude. When playing or training, we always do everything to the fullest, says Välimäki.
A humble helper for players
Tourigny also has a special feature that, according to Välimäki’s experience, is not common in the NHL.
– Sometimes he asks the players what he can do better. There are also moments when he takes someone’s mistake personally. If you can raise your hand and not blame the players, that says a lot about the coach’s values, Välimäki says.
Tourigny’s nickname is the Bear. It goes back to his personality, his big hands and one bear hug that someone noticed years ago.
– I also like that the coaches have a nickname just like the players. That you don’t always have to say “coach”. The nickname gives a closer feeling.
In addition to Välimäki Matias Maccelli has hit the ground running under Tourigny. In his second NHL season, Maccelli scored 49 (11+38) points in 64 games. Tourigny had his first encounter with the skilled Finnish striker during the World Cup tournament.
– When I saw him for the first time at the training camp, I asked the others who the hell this guy is. He learned in the opening season how to give up the puck and stuff. In the second season, we knew we had an NHL player. He is the most skilled of the whole group, Tourigny marveled in an interview with TSN.
Canada’s World Cup team also has two Arizona players: forwards Jack McBain and Lawson Crouse. According to Välimäki, both are excellent teammates who can be put on the ice in any situation.
The large and straightforward Crouse finished with 24 goals in the NHL regular season this season and has already scored five times in the World Cup.
– He is a big leader type. Really nice guy and takes into account new and young players. He maintains and grows team spirit. On top of the last one dude.
Canada’s most famous player is a scrappy forward Milan Lucic, with whom Välimäki played in Calgary. Välimäki also has experience of what it feels like to play against Lucic. The Lions’ pack needs to be awake when Lucic is on the ice.
– When he played in Edmonton and I myself played in Calgary, I had to accept some hard bomb. It is not necessary to go into the corner with your head down. It can go badly.
Välimäki says that Lucic is one of those players that he prefers to keep on his own team rather than on the opponent’s team.
– I have great respect for him. There is a guy who is ready to do anything for his teammates, Välimäki describes.
World Cup quarter-final match between Canada and Finland on Thursday at 20:20 in Tampere.
Edited at 20:50: added Tourigny’s comment on Matias Maccelli.