Waltteri Merelä has purposefully refined himself into an NHL-level player.
Waltteri Merelä has broken into the tough lineup of the Tampa Bay Lightning. The picture is from the practice match season. ZUMAWIRE / MVPHOTOS
Waltteri Merelä hasn’t stolen the headlines, but his entry into the NHL world has been strong: clever moves with the puck, scrambling in the corners and a few big kisses.
– I didn’t think for a second that he wouldn’t be able to play already this season, says Myähäil Kristian KuuselaMerelä’s teammate from Tappara for the previous two seasons.
– I knew that he would be able to take the place – and I told him to himself that I could even bet for it.
Merelä’s Tampa Bay Lightning beat the Nashville Predators 5-3 on the opening night of the season. The stars of the spike chains Nikita Kucherov and Nicholas Paul painted twice.
Merelä recorded a little more than ten minutes of ice time Luke Glendening in the leading four. There was activity on the other side of the chain Tanner Jeannot.
In the second match, the ice time increased to twelve minutes. The Lightning bowed to the Detroit Red Wings with a 4–6 record.
Hockey nerd radar
Merelä hit Kuusela’s radar for the first time in the 2018–19 season. Merelä operates in Pelicans’ A-juniors at a pace of almost two points per game.
– As a hockey nerd, I found out about the backgrounds and asked our (Tapparan) young people what kind of man he really is.
Merelä was bred for two more seasons in the Pelicans’ representation before returning to Tappara, his breeding club.
– That’s when we noticed that he’s a pretty good player, Kuusela recalls.
– He immediately took his place and got into a big role. It probably pushed the motivation forward even further.
Kuusela admires Merelä’s sense of purpose.
– A strong drive to create best describes him, Kuusela stresses.
– He is a healthy young man whose focus is always forward. He exudes determination in playing, training and also off ice – busy.
Merelä was a core piece in Tappara’s championship teams not only in terms of playing, but also as a leader.
– The losses upset him quite a lot, Kuusela says.
– He knows how to open his mouth in the right place and dares to bring things up.
Two-way agreement
Merelä, 25, is a versatile package: a big, strong and skating player who is good at painting as well as av rasto.
– He probably wouldn’t do well in the speed skating competition, but the kick is pretty strong. He knows how to use his skating correctly, Kuusala analyzed.
– He is strong and muscular. The power is certainly enough for NHL games as well.
In June, Merelä signed a two-way, one-year NHL contract. Quite a few would still believe that he will start the season at the top in the rock-hard Lightning pack.
– The playing style and strengths are made for a smaller rink, Kuusela sees.
– He is capable of good all-round play – but if he needs to go and score goals, he is certainly capable of that too.
Waltteri Merelä celebrated two league golds in Tappara before leaving for the NHL conquest. Tomi Natri / AOP