Bumbed into
nice little interview (published January 10th, 2016) of Armia by YLE (Finnish Broadcasting Company). And thought someone else here would also find it interesting. So I translated it. I tried to stay as loyal, as I can to the original text. I even translated the "plowing" quite literally, even though I'm pretty sure such a phrase doesn't exist in English language - with this meaning, that is. But I thought you Canadians can relate to trying plow your way through something, like snow, for instance
. Words inside parentheses are mine, used to better describe what is meant.
Anyway, here it goes:
Armia carries his small role with a pride: “A kind of job, that needs to be done in the hockey world”
It won’t be left short by the attitude, when it comes to Winnipeg Jets winger, Joel Armia. The Pori-born is willing to wait for his turn.
COLUMBUS. Time tends to slow down while you’re waiting. Winnipeg’s Joel Armia, 22 was waiting several weeks on December to get his shot to play with the Jets’ NHL-team. Armia lived and travelled with his team, but did not get a single game under his belt, until he was called back to AHL.
On December 18th Armia was finally released, on a game versus the New York Rangers. After that, he’s got 9 games more. On Saturday Armia was preparing at his home for the home game against the Buffalo on Sunday afternoon.
- It feels really good now. Couldn’t be better. It’s been so great to finally get to play and help the team.
“There’s a lot more than just the points”
On the games Armia has played on the 4th line, his role has so far been bacically just keeping the own end clean. In doing that, the native of Pori and his line has done well. Such a securing role has been a new experience for Armia.
Known for his goal making skills, the former Ässät-player made 55 goals on his 3 seasons in Finnish Elite League. Armia has been praised for getting better with his defensive game and doesn’t complain.
- In a hockey world, it’s a kind of a job, that needs to be done.
- It is just so damn great every time go get in the rink, and do the right things. This is my job right now. To take care of my own square and be better (as a line) than the opponents line on the given moment. There’s so much more in hockey than just producing points, thinks “Joppe”.
Trade demands by whiny young players is a rising trend in the NHL, so Armia’s attitude couldn’t be better. Even though his role is now small, the quality of work and humble attitude won’t be dismissed (by coaches). Armia will probably get his chances on the attacking side of the game also, after a while.
On his current role, there is no need to worry about the point production. And nobody’s (even) anticipating that with his 8 minutes per game time on ice.
- I believe that people will see in what way, and with which attitude you are working on the rink. At some time the bigger minutes will probably come, but you have to earn them. It’s sometimes hard to find the right rhythm with these minutes, but there’s no time to worry about that “(like) dammit, (why) I didn’t get this (line) change”.
- I’m sure the time I’ve been here has changed my thinking a bit. I understand now that to win a game, you need every single guy on the team. There cannot be a single free rider. I’ve known that always, but now that I play a bit different role myself, of course it has widened my perspective a bit.
“Not that kind off plowing”
The highlight of his NHL-assignment came early January against the San Jose, when he notched up career first NHL goal.
- Of course it was great, that I got it done. Although our line didn’t first know at all who made the goal - from whose skate it bounced in. But I didn’t care about that, either. I was just so happy that we got the goal, as a line. Such a great feeling.
The youngster from Pori is now enjoying humbly from every single day in the NHL. Although the ambition and the level of work is high, he also knows how to take pleasure of every day.
- This is just so great, I don’t know how to put it into words. I’ve wanted this so long – to get to play in the NHL. I try to do everything as well as I can, and give everything I got on the rink, so that I wouldn’t ever have to go back down (to AHL), Armia says.
- I can tell it also (has affected me in) in my everyday life, that I’m more happy and life ain’t the kind off plowing (= struggle), as it was in the farm.
And BTW: the AHL is a tough league. In my opinion, it's the toughest league that is not the NHL.
