During the summer weeks, Miro Heiskanen especially developed his shooting and skating skills.
Miro Heiskanen impresses the NHL world with his skating skills. ZUMAWIRE / MVPHOTOS
Defenseman Miro Heiskanen started his sixth season in the world’s toughest hockey league, the NHL, on the night between Thursday and Friday. The defender has a contract of no less than 64.5 million euros (67.6 million dollars) in his pocket.
Its length is eight years.
The Espoo native has cemented his position among the best defenders in the world. Still, there are plenty of areas for development.
What is a man’s weakness?
– Probably that shot I could say here. If you could make it even better, it would be good. In the summer, I focused on shooting skills during ice training, says the 24-year-old athlete.
Saros as an obstacle
In summer ice training, Heiskanen tried to develop his goal-scoring skills. It wasn’t easy, because on the summer ice, the opponent was the top goalkeeper of the Nashville Predators, Juuse Saros.
– When you try to score goals for Juus, it’s quite a challenge, the defender laughs.
Last season, Heiskanen had 11 hits and 73 points for the Dallas Stars.
The balance of the man’s entire NHL career is 354 regular season games and in them 44+160=204 power points.
A tip for junkies
According to 24-year-old Miro Heiskanen, mental fatigue sometimes strikes during a long season. ZUMAWIRE / MVPHOTOS
Heiskanen is known as an excellent skater and blade user. He is still systematically developing that side as well.
– In the summer, I did very basic things, which I have done since I was a child. For example, I’m still practicing blade handling stuff. All in all, I practice skating a lot in the summer. I seek development through that, Heiskanen continues.
The player who earns 8.45 million dollars, i.e. a good eight million euros in the starting season, has something to say to the junkies.
– I could give a tip that you should skate a lot. Develops skating skills. Do different things with skates. Backwards, turns and blade use. I recommend versatile training.
Merciless strain
Last season, the Finn’s average ice time in the regular season was 25.29 minutes per game. It’s a lot and requires extreme physical fitness.
The top team plays up to 100 matches in a season. Players get tired by force.
– Maybe mental fatigue will come at some point in the season first. When there are those four-game weeks and games on consecutive nights. The body is doing just fine, but mental fatigue may sometimes come.
How is it browsed?
– In the way that you try to do other things outside the hall and don’t think about hockey all the time. Try to relax sometimes. It helps me, says Heiskanen.
The final is near
The Dallas Stars, the hockey pride of the state of Texas, advanced to the Western Conference finals in the playoffs last spring. There, the future champion Vegas Golden Knights were better, winning 4–2.
Stars are among the strong this season as well.
– We have pretty much the same body as last season. A couple of confirmations to the team were received. I think we have a better bunch than last season. I see improvement in the team.
– Winning the Stanley Cup is the team’s goal this season. Yes, it’s realism for us, Heiskanen thinks.