Sami Vatanen’s life was revolutionized in the world – this is how he tells about his family life

Sami Vatanen34, remembered 15 years ago as a real super -tavern that looks like Coast to Coast -solo paints stunned the puck audience.

In the spring of 2012, Vatanen was only 20 years old when he won the League’s Best Defender Pekka Rautakallio award -even for the second time.

After the season culminated in the JYP championship, Vatanen moved to North America, where he played nearly 500 NHL regular season games and 51 playoffs over nine seasons.

Gold and Mirham

For the last four, Vatanen represented Genève Servette, winning Switzerland and CHL championships. During the 2023-24 season, he was selected as the best player in the CHL and the best defender in the Swiss league.

In addition to such merits, in the prize cabinet, the Olympic and World Championship gold for 2022, this is obviously the strongest bachelor’s the toughest confirmation of the entire league for the season starting on September 9.

The most viable competitors to be the title of the title are Vatanen’s last season’s club buddies, the striker who returned to Kuopio Teemu Hartikainen and the goalkeeper returning to Rauma Antti Raanta.

Two other watchers deserve to mention, the fly recruited Niklas Rubin and Tappara’s home Christian Heljanko.

A better player

Vatanen sheds light on her mood by answering Iltalehti’s question battery.

What kind of feelings do you have to return home?

– It’s been fun, Vatanen replies.

– Ever since I left here, I’ve been thinking that it would be nice to come back and play. A really good mood has been in the hall and we have worked hard. It is eagerly awaited that the season will start.

How did you develop as a player compared to Sami Vatanen, who last played in the Finnish Champions League in spring 2012?

– There is a much wiser player here than I was young then. There are different ways of playing here, and holistically, I’m definitely a better player. Every year has become development and moved on.

– There is a lot of experiences in different countries. Yes, it always grows both mentally and ice -hockey.

In what way are you a different person than when you leave?

– More family, wife and two children. Then I used to go to games and workouts and then went for coffee with my friends. Now there is much more in life than hockey.

– We try to raise good people from children and help them move forward in their life path. The older is a four -year -old girl and the younger is a two -year -old boy. You don’t have to think much about what you do after workouts – yes they do!

After many weaker years, JYP’s expectations for you are tough in Jyväskylä. How do you deal with it?

– There is no terribly pressure on this career. It’s just gone and enjoyed and started doing things to win. It’s a lot of work to do, and here’s quite a lot of print. The new winds here hopefully blow.

JYP’s investment series for the last five seasons does not flatter: 15-13-13-14. Where is the competitive advantage that the team turns the course to a new rise?

– We print in games and workouts until the end. Not given an inch. From there it always starts in hockey, and as a couple of wins, self -confidence grows and new stars are born.

– We’re going to get a pleas and then everything is open. They are their own games after that.

The new head coach Petri Matikainen is known for his fierce methods. Either a chainsaw or other colorful rally in the booth?

– There’s nothing strange. He demands a lot from the team to go and show it with his own passion for this sport. It attracts us all to give everything its best. That’s what he looks like by his own example and tries to help us win.

What do you expect from yourself this season?

– Let’s give the team a chance to win games. There are no other goals other than winning games.

What match do you expect most in the regular season?

– Certainly the first game (September 10) is like that. It’s been a long time since I last played here and get started in front of the home audience.

– Ilves has been successful for many years in this league. It’s a good test right from the start and a good measure for us, where to go.

Teemu Hartikainen, who played with you in Genève, moved to KalPa. For the first time, the reigning champion will meet two consecutive nights in mid -November. What thoughts about those games?

– It’s a small climate in the middle of the season. Double games always bring more energy, and then the “rush” is up. It’s nice that he came back to the league and helps the league grow through it.

– Great games will be twisted again. Local opponent, what better!

You were named in a preliminary group that will be assembled for the next winter’s Milan-Cortina Olympic Tournament. Are the Lions still interested?

– Of course, the national team shirt is still interested, and of course the Olympics are always a great thing. Certainly every player wants to be there, but after all, Finland will have quite a few players from the NHL. Let’s see what the road looks like.