For what it's worth, here's a short summary of an interview of Ari Ahonen that I came across. It has taken some years for him to reach his potential, but he has been one of the hottest goalies in Europe for the past couple of seasons.
Ahonen says that being stuck behind Marty is only an excuse, though it wasn't an easy gig to play in net for weak Albany teams and thus gain no attention from other teams that he could get traded to. He sees that another career began for him, when he joined KalPa Kuopio (Sami Kapanen is the majority owner) in 2009 after a couple of mediocre, disappointing seasons since his return from across the pond. He learned how to train and prepare himself for games, not necessarily spending more hours training, but doing things the right way.
Ahonen has matured quite a bit over the years. He thinks that as a highly touted prospect he may have got a bit too much a bit too early and nowadays he doesn't take that much for granted. Ahonen lost his father and his firstborn daughter was born a week later in 2010. He says that in retrospect it made him more accountable outside the rink too since he was responsible for his family too.
To put it short: Ahonen has learned the hard way what it takes to be a professional hockey player. And now things are going well for him.
For what it's worth, here's a short summary of an interview of Ari Ahonen that I came across. It has taken some years for him to reach his potential, but he has been one of the hottest goalies in Europe for the past couple of seasons.
Ahonen says that being stuck behind Marty is only an excuse, though it wasn't an easy gig to play in net for weak Albany teams and thus gain no attention from other teams that he could get traded to. He sees that another career began for him, when he joined KalPa Kuopio (Sami Kapanen is the majority owner) in 2009 after a couple of mediocre, disappointing seasons since his return from across the pond. He learned how to train and prepare himself for games, not necessarily spending more hours training, but doing things the right way.
Ahonen has matured quite a bit over the years. He thinks that as a highly touted prospect he may have got a bit too much a bit too early and nowadays he doesn't take that much for granted. Ahonen lost his father and his firstborn daughter was born a week later in 2010. He says that in retrospect it made him more accountable outside the rink too since he was responsible for his family too.
To put it short: Ahonen has learned the hard way what it takes to be a professional hockey player. And now things are going well for him.
Wasn't he the guy that kept taking cheap shots at the Devils on twitter though as recently as last season? Maybe I'm thinking of the wrong guy.
For what it's worth, here's a short summary of an interview of Ari Ahonen that I came across. It has taken some years for him to reach his potential, but he has been one of the hottest goalies in Europe for the past couple of seasons.
Ahonen says that being stuck behind Marty is only an excuse, though it wasn't an easy gig to play in net for weak Albany teams and thus gain no attention from other teams that he could get traded to. He sees that another career began for him, when he joined KalPa Kuopio (Sami Kapanen is the majority owner) in 2009 after a couple of mediocre, disappointing seasons since his return from across the pond. He learned how to train and prepare himself for games, not necessarily spending more hours training, but doing things the right way.
Ahonen has matured quite a bit over the years. He thinks that as a highly touted prospect he may have got a bit too much a bit too early and nowadays he doesn't take that much for granted. Ahonen lost his father and his firstborn daughter was born a week later in 2010. He says that in retrospect it made him more accountable outside the rink too since he was responsible for his family too.
To put it short: Ahonen has learned the hard way what it takes to be a professional hockey player. And now things are going well for him.
Do the Devils still own his rights? If they gave him a qualifying offer, they should.
Wouldn't mind bringing him back across the pond for a tryout next camp.
Last edited by Feed Me A Stray Cat: 02-23-2012 at 03:31 PM.
What is, Lou not letting players choose a number? Or McKenna complaining about it?
I think it's fine that Lou keeps the numbers below 30 when possible, but I think he should give players a choice among what's available.
Lou not letting players choose a number. Look at Larsson, Fayne and Henrique.
If the number is low and not already taken, he lets them have it. The only thing they have to do is stick with the team and ask. That`s the way I see it.
