Tigers’ European players settling in

Also by way of Finland is mobile two-way defenseman Veeti Väisänen who is happy to have a familiar Finnish national team player on the Tigers with him, helping adjust to Medicine Hat.

“Of course a lot. Like when you come here alone, like 8,000 kilometers away from home, of course it’s a big thing to have a guy from the same country here,” Väisänen said.

“You can sometimes speak the same language and relax together, so it’s nice.”

Both players where drafted into the NHL in June, Väisänen to the Utah Hockey Club, and Muhonen to the Dallas Stars.

When the Tigers drafted both players in the CHL Import Draft a few days later, they were convinced by Tigers head coach and general manger Willie Desjardins to help develop their game in North America.

Muhonen enjoyed his experience at training camp with the Stars ahead of playing with the Tigers, alongside his favourite Finnish players Esa Lindell.

“Yeah, at first it felt like unreal, but then you just realize you’re there and learn how they do things and how they are,” Muhonen said.

Väisänen also enjoyed his time at NHL training camp prior to joining the Tigers.

“It was great weeks in Utah, like high tempo weeks,” Väisänen said.

“We practiced a lot, played some games. It was really fun.”

Muhonen has noticed the change in play with of the smaller North American ice surface.

“I think the game here is way faster,” Muhonen said.

“All the things happen so much faster and you need to be ready always.”

Väisänen said the European game is a little less physical.

“Game is a little bit maybe more tactical, not slower, I would say, but the rink is bigger. So here everything happens like really fast,” Väisänen said.

“We dump the puck, all the players are really skillful. Yeah, maybe the ice is the biggest difference.”

Both players have had the chance to try out some of the traditional Canadian foods.

“Yeah, I’ve tried poutine and I didn’t really like it,” Muhonen said.

“I tried the ketchup chips. I didn’t like them. I like to use the ketchup on food, like a lot of different foods, but I didn’t like the ketchup chips,” Väisänen said.

These 18-year old defenders are both enjoying their time as Tigers.

“All the guys are like super chill and fun, so it has been great,” Väisänen said.

“I think the team has helped very much. They are so nice people and they took me in and it was kind of easy to come here,” Muhonen said.

The Tigers get a bit of break this week compared to last, when they had four games in five night.

A pair of home games coming up Friday and Saturday against Brandon and Calgary, where you can see Väisänen, Muhonen and the rest of the Tigers in action.

by Jesse Gill

Tigers’ European players settling in

Our Community