Raimo Summanen took the young Mikko Koivu to the World Cup in 2004

Mikko Koivu is fighting with Josef Vasicek from the Czech Republic in the autumn 2004 World Cup. SEPPO SIRKKA / AOP

Raimo Summanen, the head coach of the lions, did not hesitate. He took 21-year-old Mikko Koivu to the World Cup in 2004. He was among the big boys.

– There were three things behind the selection. The first was such a personal feeling. I remember Mikko as a little boy in the locker room when I played in Turku. And Saku (Birch) played at the same time. I knew him so far.

– Another thing was that I watched as Mikko grew up as a player. The little boy became a ravenous man. And the national team had a culture long before I had to involve young people.

– Mikko’s freshness and enthusiasm. That was the reason for the choice, Summanen times.

“Filled boots”

And Mikko Koivu was not admitted to the top tournament as a mascot. He played many matches.

– Mikko took responsibility and deserved his role. He filled his boots, Summanen says.

Of course, there were discussions with the young man before the tournament.

– I asked Miko if it’s ok if you can’t play in the tournament? Mikko said that is true, of course, but I am ready to fight.

Mikko has a special feature.

– There are some similar players in the Finnish puck. They always play for the top five and the team. That’s a very big feature in tournament gaming. Most of them happen to be big stars, 60-year-old Summanen continues.

Inside the fire came

Summanen also talks about the difference between the Koivu brothers as players. The brothers played a total of 2,159 NHL regular season matches.

Mikko’s statistics include 10 value tournaments at the men’s level and four junior World Championships. The start of the national team career in particular was wild. The first 11 value tournaments for different age groups won 11 medals.

At the Men’s World Championships, Mikko won five medals: gold, two silver and two bronze medals.

Saku played 13 times in the men’s value tournament.

– Saku was a small player, but he skillfully found space in the trough and his own style. Mikko was big and a little slower. There are many ways to make an excellent version of yourself in hockey.

– Both of them always burned inside. Usually the brothers playing hockey are pretty much the same type. The birches were different.

An extreme professional

Mikko Koivu always demanded a lot from himself in the trough and did not hesitate to ask for maximum performance from his teammates as well.

According to Summanen, the keywords behind the career of more than a thousand NHL matches are purposefulness, passion for the sport and reliability.

As well as extreme professionalism.

– Mikko’s will was hard, but that alone is not enough. Should find it my own handwriting to play. Suddenly it feels like yes everyone will find it. But it doesn’t go that way.

– Mikos became a captain at a young age in Minnesota. It is not typical of Europe, and it is by no means easy. Mikko had hard boots because of Saku, Summanen thinks.

No outrage

An experienced coach also reminds of the challenges of each team’s No. 1 center.

– It is always desired to make it difficult for an opponent to play the top center. The game is being attempted on the wrong track. I think Mikko got the respect there pretty soon. I don’t think a lot of outrage was done to him.

The coach will also consider the internal exercises of the Koivu family at that time.

– Yes, it would have been nice to get to see when the brothers compete in some sport. I hear they have been pretty legendary gimmicks then sometimes. Jukka Koivu has probably had to intervene many times, Summanen hesitates.

Shirt on the ceiling

Mikko turns 39 on Saturday. The next day, the state of hockey Minnesota will celebrate the longtime captain of Wild’s history. Mikko’s number 9 rises to the roof of Wild’s home hall, and no one uses it anymore after that.

There is a historic and emotional evening ahead. And a big evening for Finnish hockey.

– Minnesota is the cradle of hockey in the United States. This is a really big deal out there. It describes Mikko’s appreciation as an athlete, but also in matters outside of hockey. Congratulations to Mikko, Summanen wishes.