There is a Kiprusoff interview in the local newspaper Turun Sanomat on the occasion of an exhibition game held in Turku. They talk a fair bit about his training answering a couple of open questions. The relevant parts:
Quote:
Good news for the Calgary Flames' fans: Miikka Kiprusoff has returned this summer to his old, familiar and tested way of training. The beginning of the summer the goalkeeper spent fishing and charging the batteries with the family. This week Kiprusoff has begun to train on ice with other Turku-based NHL players. Next week the highest-paid netminder in the NHL will move on to train on ice with TPS (the local team) - "If only they allow me to."
Last time Kiprusoff trained this way - the "Turku way" - he was rewarded with the Vezina trophy.
A year ago he tried something different. He didn't step on ice in Turku but instead travelled early in the summer to Calgary to practice.
- I thought last summer I'd try training in Canada. The system didn't work quite as well as I had planned. Training in Calgary in the summer with a small group of guys didn't work, so this summer I decided to stay in Turku to practice.
It says a lot of Kiprusoff's value to his team that since the Flames superstar opted this time not to spend his summer in Calgay, the coaches came to meet him in Finland. Calgary Head Coach Mike Keenan and the newly-named head of goaltending coaches Jamie McLennan came to Turku on Monday.
- They wanted to come to say hi to me here. I also asked Mike to take part in the exhibition game as a coach.
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"And when the moment came -- they ran away from the word of dishonor, but on the battlefield their feet stood fast, and in an instant, at the height of their fortune, they passed away from the scene, not of their fear, but of their glory." - Thucydides, the Peloponnesian War
this could be the best news of the offseason. the Flames have a solid lineup, decent top 6 scoring and finally some bottom 6 depth. if the Kipper of '04 and '06 emerges to supplement that, then i really like where this season could lead
Good to hear he is training. The older the players get, the earlier they have to start and the harder they have to train to stay in the game with the younger guys. Please don't start off the season with 3 games of 6.00 GAA please for the 3rd season in a row.
Wow he is the higest paid Goalie this year. I hope that he plays like it.
Highest paid, but his cap hit is $5.8M which makes a world of difference.
I guess this info release about Kiprusoff actually coming to Canada last season and training here early in the summer might quiet those that continually state he was unreachable on his cell phone and in hiding, fishing in Finland all last off-season, and came into camp out of shape.
Also thought it was pretty cool that Kiprusoff has enough respect for Keenan that he asked him to go behind the bench and help coach the exhibition game.
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The Mossman OWNS.
Bingo Bango Brutal.
Oilers suck.
But But, according to Edmonton fans, Keenan has totally wrecked Kipper and their relationship has been destroyed because Keenan was the anti-goalie. I was waiting for the tears, the recriminations, the trade demands.
Sob, I guess it truly is the off season now.
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And in the interview with finnish broadcasting company YLE, he says that he is willing to return to International goaltending assignments with team Finland (I say he never left)
The Interview can be watched here: (In Finnish Of course.)
Quote:
He says that he is happy to be with his family and has playd with his young son. Western conference looks to be a tight one and playoffs are the minimum goal for the team. He has no personal goals for the coming season. He has nothing against (and has never had) playing with Finland national team, and he is interested in playing in Olympics in Vancouver.
Then the interviewer asks about his 10 % ownership of TPS (Team in Turku). He is asked about the strategy of the team on how to return to top teams in Finland. He says that it will take time, but sees no obstacles currently. He says that he is novice on the finance issues and will just listening in the beginning of his ownership. And finally he says that the Flames are a tough and hungry team and he is eager to start the season.
There is also a Interview with Mike Keenan (The link that says Keenan, of course) in there, that is in english. I cant bother to write an abstract since someone else with better language skills than me can do it quicker.
As already said, Kennan and Kipper were in friendly game with his brother Marko along with the Sedins, Vilppula, Ruutu and Koivu brothers. Also Peter Forsberg with them, and they raised 110 000€ to Childrens hospital in Turku.
Wondering if the org chart relationship between McLennan and Marcoux was ever clarified? Understanding it's translated, but it seems as if McLennan is Marcoux's boss? I suppose it doesn't matter - just curious.
Did anyone else have flashes of Kiprusoff pulling Rocky IV style training moves? You know, pulling sleds in the snow, lifting rocks, etc?
I had visions of him wearing a 1950's style, grey sweat suit. Riding one of those old stationary bikes with the handle bars that moved back and forth as you peddled. With a smoke hanging out of his mouth.
If Iggy has a year with close to his potential
If Kipper is hot like he was before
If Big bad Bert improves on his previouse year output at all
If Langow has close to another career year
If glencross gets 15 goals......
I dont know, but sorry guys, almost waste of a post, just this kipper thing got me excited, we could give the wings a run for there money!
It goes back to the old adage "if it ain't broke, don't fix it."
This is great news for the team, arguably the most important player on our team is taking steps to regain Vezina form. I'm very much a person that believes you start at the net and work your way out. It makes me just that much more excited for the upcoming season.
Also I thought that was neat that all the Turku based NHL players got together to practice and train... like its a little club or something. I suppose that happens here too I've just always had this image that you didn't train with guys outside your team... silly I know... either way good news.
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"I'd wish you good luck tonight but I hate the Oilers" - Me to MacTavish in the elevator at the Sheraton Hotel on New Years
I had visions of him wearing a 1950's style, grey sweat suit. Riding one of those old stationary bikes with the handle bars that moved back and forth as you peddled. With a smoke hanging out of his mouth.
This may have been the funniest thing I have read on CP in the last 2 months!!