Farmboy Patty
Senior Hockey Analyst
- Nov 2, 2017
- 1,728
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I know through my own experience that Finns that act confident and somewhat cocky rub a lot of people the wrong way in Finland. Having lived in both Sweden and Finland for many years I know the cultural difference. Of course we have the same crap in Sweden as well with "jantelag" and what not, but Finland is no place for individuals IMO. I still love the country and the people are fantastic in their own way, of courseMost are, but actually there is also pretty odd phenomenom among Finns hockey fans that passionately hate Laine. That's a minority, but not a very small one. Some of my close friends and co-workers are on that camp.
For example Teemu Selänne, Jari Kurri and Alexander Barkov Jr. never had such anti-fan clubs that Laine has and for example Olli Jokinen had, though in lesser degree.
Because of his personality and cockiness (and sadly, heritage as well), Zlatan has always had a dedicated (and quite large) group of haters in Sweden, although he is arguably one of the top 10 most entertaining football players in the world for over a decade now. He wouldn't be half the player that he is now if he didn't have his larger than life ego and confidence.
The same goes for guys like Laine – the attempts to squueze him into the standard mold of a robotic hockey player is detrimental for a goal scoring artist like him. He is at his best when he's feeling it and having fun, scoring hattricks, celebrating on ice with passion, and speaking his mind on interviews. I wish that my buddies in Finland just let the guy be himself and enjoy our superstar in the making.
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