The ice hockey player, who leads a drug-free life, says that there has been no temptation to drink alcohol.
Petri Kontiola admits that he is an alcoholic. Mika Kylmäniemi / AOP
Ice hockey player Petri Kontiola left after last season for substance abuse treatment in Minnesota.
Do you think you are an alcoholic?
– Maybe yes. I guess I don’t go there because of the vacation, Kontiola answers.
Has the cap stayed on after that?
– Has stayed.
You said in an interview with Aamulehti in October that you owe Ilves an apology. What did you mean?
– I betrayed the trust of my teammates and fans. I would have liked to make it up. For a long time it felt like there was something to give back. This doesn’t always go as you want and now we are here in Tappara.
Are you referring to your drinking during the playoffs last season?
– In general, the whole process.
How much alcohol did you drink during the playoffs last season?
– I won’t say anything.
Why did you leave Levi after the semi-final series loss and before the bronze medal game last season?
– I wasn’t interested in that ending anymore. I was a leading player and involved others, so you could think about what kind of example to set. I regret it like hell. It’s done and nothing can be done.
Okay
Petri Kontiola led Tappara to victory over Ilves on Friday. Mika Kylmäniemi / AOP
Visually, Kontiola will be in clearly better physical shape in December 2023 than a year ago.
– The flu has bothered me a bit. But I’m in good shape and I’ve been trying for a long time to get fit. Sometimes things get better, but sometimes there have been heavy nights, says the man who represented Ilves last season.
– There is no difference in weight compared to last season. I’m waiting because it’s going to drip, he adds.
Fat has left the body from Kontiola.
– General energy is much better than it has ever been. I’m in a good mood every day.
Kontiola has played seven games in Tappara this season. There are the same number of power points.
– I am really grateful for every day. It’s a damn good group. And I’m not just talking about playing skills, but about how good the guys are in the team.
Kontiola has spoken publicly, as in this story, about his difficulties.
– A Finnish man usually doesn’t talk about anything, but maybe it’s worth telling stories. However, I am no messenger. For me, let everyone do what they like. I’m not Jesus. I did this and someone else does it differently.
You said you were physically fitter than ever. What about mentally?
– The same thing. It should have been like going to the army back in the day. And I don’t mean drunk work, but in general.
If the desire to play is enough, this season may not be the last for the 39-year-old center.
– There’s no point in saying anything more. There has been a lot of talk about this before, commented the man who fainted at his decision to quit.
Bridge to victory
On Friday, Kontiolan Tappara rose from a 0–3 deficit to win 5–3 against Ilves.
– We went from side to side, but the good feeling remained when we won.
Kontiola scored an important opening goal for Tappara at the end of the first period.
– It wasn’t a perfect performance. But it gives a good feeling when we came from a 0-3 loss to a win against such a good team.