Lil Sebastian Cossa
Opinions are share are my own personal opinions.
- Jul 6, 2012
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Erilainen polku huipulle! Suomalainen NHL-lupaus kieltäytyi Liiga-tarjouksista: "Ei helppo päätös" | Leijonat
Different path on the top - Finnish NHL prospect refused to sign at Liiga
Detroit Red Wings' Finnish prospect Antti Tuomisto will be seen in the coming season in Finland. However, he does not play in the Finnish Top League.
A young defenceman confirmed to Leijonat.com that he would move to the NCAA University Series for the season 2020-21. As a result, the prospect will still be playing in the Junior League for the upcoming season. There are strict college hockey rules in the background: You cannot play in the series if there's any professional matches under the belt.
Tuomisto would already have enough skills for the men's League. The decision to refuse professional deals is never easy.
- It wasn't really an easy decision. That has already been in the mind. I thought it was the best option for me.
There's good North American hockey. And the school comes as a plus, Tuomisto says.
You can smell from the responses that the choice has been carefully considered. The big thing on the university path is education that helps after a hockey career.
- But there is still a lot of life left after the playing career. That's an important thing. It's good to have
something to think about for that time as well.
Few 18-year-olds think this far and in a mature way. Tuomisto admits that there was an opportunity to play League with Porin Ässät which did attract him.
- It made it a difficult decision - of course it would have been nice to play in the adult series. But I saw that there was no emergency for that yet. This is the right solution for me.
Hints and tips from Detroit
Tuomisto's summer has already been busy and full of events. Defenceman prospect was called to Detroit in the second round. Juggernaut defenceman admits that the early draft round surprised.
Tuomisto watched the draft show at home through a TV stand. At some point, his name and the Detroit Red Wings appeared on the screen.
- I was home with my family. When the name was shouted, nothing even really spun in my mind. It was a great moment and getting drafted is another step closer to the NHL.
The Finn also had time to visit the NHL club's developmental camp. Getting to know the Detroit organization was informative.
- Really great experience. Did saw a bit how things go in North America. I learned a lot at camp - it was great to get involved.
- I got quite a few skating tips. And with physics training came some instructions - it's a big deal for development. That's where I got good advice.
Red Wings management has described that you're a big guy who plays rough and physically - do you think they will be your strengths in the future?
- This tall guy needs more mass and strength. Heh, but that's a pretty good description, Tuomisto grins.
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Translated this mostly with google translate. Could be something weird still there.
I love this sentence.
Defenceman prospect was called to Detroit in the second round. Juggernaut defenceman admits that the early draft round surprised.
