Kristian Vesalainen had no problems with the Jets stars.
Mark Scheifele (left) and Blake Wheeler are the Jets’ leaders in the booth. AOP / USA TODAY Sports
Kristian Vesalainen, Patrick Laine, Ville Heinola, Sami Niku, Joona Luoto and Saku Mäenalanen.
No fewer than six Finns have been seen in the Winnipeg Jets in recent years. Of them, only Laine has broken into a big role in the team, but in the end he too was traded away.
In Vesalainen’s opinion, however, there is nothing in the Jets club culture that would make it difficult for Finns to adapt to the organization.
He even praises the Jets’ star players and biggest leaders Mark Scheifele and Blake Wheelereven though the two have even been called rotten apples in hallway conversations.
– Yes, at least I received very good treatment from them. Sure, sometimes there was feedback if I was late, but then it came for a reason, Vesalainen smiles and continues.
– They are exemplary guys. They are the first on the ice and almost the last to leave. They wanted to move forward all the time.
As people, Scheifele and Wheeler are different, according to Vesalainen.
– Scheifele is really loud in the booth. He throws the flap all the time and takes others into consideration. A really good guy, Vesalainen describes.
– Wheeler is a bit quieter and leads by example.
Wheeler, who served as the club’s skipper for the previous six seasons, was stripped of his captaincy before the start of this season. Now he’s not even part of the Jets’ captaincy.
Vesalainen doesn’t start guessing the reason for the uproar.
– It’s hard to say, but I never had any conflict with them.
Kristian Vesalainen got to follow the daily life of NHL stars up close. Pete Anikari