The debut in Mestis ended in defeat, but the son of the NHL legend showed that he can do well in the Finnish rinks.
During the match, Eetu Selänne rose to the number one chain and dominated. Kimmo Rauatmaa/AOP
A very familiar family name was seen chilling in the ranks of Heinola’s Peliitto on Friday. Turning 25 in November Eetu Selänne opened in the match against Kajaani Hokki in his team’s second line, but as the match heated up, the playing time also came off in the score unit on the edge of the top three and with superiority.
– In the last inning, the fielders were changed and an attempt was made to wake up the team. Eetu made good decisions on the ice, and I’m happy with that. A good player has been found, summed up the head coach of Peliitto Hannes Hyvönen.
Selänne had attracted several interested parties to Kajaani, and the attacker with a big surname was not shy. During the second set, Selänne was part of the superior crew and took places on the B point for onetimers. The attacker, who was cultivating the fields from the right side, was able to shoot once, but the strong shot crashed behind the goal.
Eetu Selänne (right) did not get to the power points in Mestis yet. Kimmo Rauatmaa/AOP
Hyvönen was also not afraid to put Selännett on the field when Peliitat played the last minutes without a goalkeeper. In the very last seconds, Selänne received a hard pass to an open spot, but the attacker did not have time to adjust his shot in time. The head coach gave Seläntee a clean slate for his debut and believes that he fits the level required by Mestis.
Selänne had last played college hockey in the USA at the third level of the NCAA. Hyvönen reminds that Selänne is used to playing against people over 20 years old.
– It is not understood in Finland how tough the university series is. There are older players there than we have in Heinola. It’s a tough series. That should be taken into account.
Selänne plays in Peliitoi with a test contract that ends in December. The dynamic of the team has not been disturbed by the arrival of the son of Finland’s puck greatness.
– We have a good spirit in the team. Eetu is such a wonderful guy, and it’s like coming home. The boys received him well.
Selänne and Peliitat will next play on Saturday in an away match against IPK. The people of Heinola are ninth in the standings.