Aces’ Martin Lefebvre has been one of the biggest surprises in the early season of the SM league.
Martin Lefebvre has been an excellent acquisition from Ässi. Elmeri Elo / All Over Press
A man came from the fjord looking bad in his Norwegian shirt, sang Juice Leskinen.
When Martin Lefebvre last spring signed a deal with Ässie, many people got a sound similar to Leskinen’s song. These players who excelled in the Norwegian league have been seen in the SM league before, and the end result has not been very flattering.
Lefebvre has completely broken the stereotype. He has been excellent on the puck, and not a single blade in his own head. He has brought considerable added value to Äss.
– I try to play on the offensive end like in Norway, but on the defensive end you have to play much harder, more precisely and you have to be ready. If you’re not ready, you’ll look bad. There is still work ahead, the 30-year-old Canadian comments.
Lefebvre played the previous six seasons in the main leagues of Denmark, Germany and Norway. He has achieved two Norwegian championships and one Danish championship in his career.
Diili Ässiin was born when Pada’s director of sports Janne Vuorinen contacted.
– I wanted to take a step forward in my career and get to a bigger league. It was a good conversation with Janne Vuorinen. Pori seemed like a nice place for our family. I have a spouse and a 1.5-year-old son with me on the trip. It is important that the family is well taken care of.
Last season, the defender played 44 matches in the regular season of the Norwegian league with an output of 17+35=52. In the playoffs, the pace was even faster: 15 matches and 4+15 = 19 power points. Lefebvre was chosen as the most valuable player of the series.
– The difference between the SM league and the Norwegian league is big. This league is much better. The players have significantly more experience, skill and speed. Teams in Finland play much more tactically, for example trap defense. The grooves are smaller in Norway, so it’s more of a North American puck. There is a big rink here, so teams want to keep more of the puck.
Crushing win
Lefebvre’s balance in 15 league matches is a handsome 3+9=12 power points. The power statistic is seven hits with a plus. The man has accumulated an average of 21 minutes of ice time per game.
– I am quite satisfied. My main job is to create chances on the offensive end.
In Wednesday’s Tappara game, the kit was Ässie’s golden helmet, but after the 6–2 crushing victory, the title of best scorer was transferred Fly to Hämeenaho.
The Canadian hit Pada’s opening bag from Hämeenaho’s namu pass.
– There were long pucks and difficulties getting the puck away from their own. Then a counterattack came, I smelled an opportunity and went to support. It was a really nice pass from Lenni.
Ässät scored six of his goals so that Tappara’s guards only had four saves in total at that point in the match.
– We played well and we had a really good start to the match. It was known that when we are in the lead, it is not easy to beat us. We have defended well throughout the season.
Lefebvre describes the early days of the people of Pori very well: surprisingly tough.
– We have played well as a team. It’s a waste of cooperation, because there are no superstars in the team.
The cold surprised me
As befits a North American pirta, the Canadian praises his current home town effusively.
Only one thing in Finland has surprised me negatively.
– We didn’t expect it to be this cold here this early. It’s 10 degrees in Norway this time of year. It has been freezing this year and it had snowed one morning. Of course, as a Canadian, I’m used to winter, but 7 years in Europe has changed my feelings a bit. I haven’t had to dig out a winter coat this early in years, Lefebvre laughs.
The Canadian made a one-year deal with Ässie. After the performances of the first season, it wouldn’t really be a surprise if clubs bigger than Äss were interested in the man’s services.
– I haven’t talked to the agent or the team yet. It might still be too early. The most important thing is that the family has a good time.
What do you think about the European pace in general, when the contracts for the next season are made at a very early stage?
– It’s nice when the players know in time if there is work for the next season. And if so, where is that job. In the NHL, you have to wait at least until July before you can sign a new contract, the Canadian begins.
– If you make a deal with the same team in Europe, it can of course be published. But if you don’t continue in the team, it would be good to keep it a secret. It’s not a nice feeling when the guys know you’re leaving the team, he adds.