Valimaki appeared on 960 yesterday afternoon and sounded very excited about playing every day with the Coyotes.
I put together a little writeup on his comments here:
https://flamesnation.ca/news/juuso-v...ary-flames-nhl
His full segment on Flames Talk can be found here (Hour 1, October 27):
https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcas...k/id1603908478
Here's an excerpt:
Quote:
“All you can really ask, as a player, is for an opportunity,” Valimaki said. “I’m just really happy that I got to kind of start fresh again and just get an opportunity to play and be in every night and not just play 10 minutes.
“I’ve always said it, the more you play, the easier it is,” Valimaki added. “When you play those kinds of minutes, it’s just kind of the easiest game for me, I think. So, to be able to do that now, it feels awesome.”
Valimaki joined the Coyotes during their season-opening six-game road trip, although he was initially unable to play games in the United States due to a work visa issue.
The Coyotes will play their first game at the brand-new Mullett Arena on Friday evening, with Valimaki expected to be in the lineup. But the left-handed defender told Steinberg and Gordon he enjoyed the chance to get to know his new teammates away from home.
“We had a long road trip,” Valimaki said. “I think it was good for me especially to be on the road [with the Coyotes], get to know some of the new faces, everyone around a little bit more.
“Overall, it’s been really good, and I really enjoy hockey again,” Valimaki added. “It’s really fun going to the rink every day now, I’m really excited for games, and I think it’s been exactly what I needed so far.”
|
Hoping for all the best for Juuso.