Jesse Puljujärvi interviewed on the Ari Vallin Show
Ari Vallin, the former player and six time Liiga champion, now turned into hockey TV-personality, visited Kärpät’s Jesse Puljujärvi in Oulu for an interview.
ABOUT THE U20 CHAMPIONSHIPS
Pulju, Sebastian Aho and Patrik Laine were hyped all around Finland after the championship win. That attention didn’t affect Pulju as he says the games provided him with enough confidence for rest of the season.
LEAVING TO EDMONTON
With how the season in Kärpät had went and having the confidence he had, it was clear that he’d join Oilers for the next season, especially due to having such high draft number. If he could do something different now it would be learning English. In the end it was all the small things that caused him to leave the team. He does appreciate the time spent in North America and how it developed him as a person, but now he is back home to find his footing in hockey again.
SPEAKING ENGLISH
The skill got better in Edmonton and now with having several foreigners on the team (Canadian, Czechs, Slovakians and a Swede), he has realized he can also do jokes in English and be part of the conversation.
PLAYING IN KÄRPÄT
He makes it clear that when he joined Kärpät in August, the thought in his mind was to stay with the team for the entire season and go far in the playoffs with them. He thinks playing big minutes and for entire season is going to be a good thing with the eye on returning to NHL later.
He has learned to be more consistent with the minutes he gets and it’s very important for his game in general. He also appreciates the coach Mikko Manner for pushing him and putting attention of what he needs to develop in. One of those things being defensive play and giving the coach some trust that he can be put on the ice in any situation.
PLAYING IN TEAM FINLAND
He has been able to see that the level of play is different in international games and what things to improve in his play.
RETURNING TO NHL
When asked whether he’d leave immediately back to NHL after next summer, he actually says he’d rather look what the situation at the moment is. If he feels like everything in the past season have gone well enough and is on with a high confidence level, then sure. But he will trust his own instinct and have patience upon his return.
