He won money at SKA and went dreaming at a club-loser. The Goalie's Story to Conquer Canada – NHL News – Hockey

Seven years and 266 days pbaded between the start and the first Finnish goalkeeper's NHL dry game. And this is the third break in the history of the league. Koskinen left for North America for the first time at 21. He spent two and a half seasons, playing only four games in the NHL before returning to Europe.

– When I went into the NHL, I was too young, I had no experience at all. I was not prepared for the fact that I might not be able to do it when I found myself in North America. It turned out that I was not mentally prepared for that. Not even near was ready. The talent was with me and then, but it's a matter of growing up. Now, I know I can do it, which is very important for the goalkeeper. You must believe in yourself, believe in yourself 100%. I was a doubled for the Islanders. In the first game, I went out on the ice, after which I missed almost after the first two shots, "Mikko told R-Sport in an interview a few years ago.

Assembled for the second time in the NHL, the 30-year-old goalkeeper did not think about his first visit. For him, this October was like the first time. Mikko in "Edmonton" started from scratch and had incredible success. He made the first talk in the NHL during a game against Chicago, reflecting 40 shots (!), When the Oilers won 4: 0. Tonight at the time of Moscow, McDavid's team beat Dallas in overtime 1-0, and Koskinen again played at zero and scored 28 shots. The NHL has recognized the Finnish goalkeeper as the third star of the day.

But he's not even the main guardian of Edmonton. Mikko is Cam Talbo's companion and has played 10 games of the season, winning 6 of those, 92.3% of the shots. Talbot's stats are much worse: 15 games, 5 wins, 88.9% thoughtful throws. But it's hard to move a Canadian because of high wages – Cam earns almost twice as much as Mikko ($ 4.2 million, $ 2.5 million). Today, the Finn is definitely stronger in the game and is in its heyday. With impressive dimensions (height – 2 meters, weight – 95 kg), he works impressively with his feet and always rolls well, has excellent coordination and reads the game brilliantly. Thanks to Koskinen for this person.

Marco Torenius – the man who made Koskinen best goalkeeper He started working with the coach on individual goalkeeper training in Finland in the Espoo Blues system. Marco and Mikko traveled to Siberia and SKA.

– I can not say that we are one family with him, but of course we have very good relations. The decision to invite me to Siberia, in particular, was based on the desire to develop. Of course, I can not say it for him, but it seems to me that he realizes that our joint work is aimed at its development, at its success, "said Torenius in an interview at the Championship in 2014.

After already, there was a scandalous exchange in SKA. It's happened and because of salary arrears in Novosibirsk, and because of desire to be in best club, with which it is already possible to wipe the cup. Torenius also went to Petersburg. During the same season, the army team won the first Gagarin Cup in history. In 22 matches playoffs Koskinen reflected 93.6% of the shots. Two years later, the Finnish wall won the second trophy, already sharing his starting time with Shesterkin. But in the playoffs, Mikko still played.

In SKA, Koskinen earned $ 2.6 million, making him the highest paid goalkeeper of the KHL. At the end of the contract with the army team and after two trophies, Mikko decided to take another step in his career. And then his relationship with Torenius broke – the specialist stayed to train at SKA. In St. Petersburg, we said goodbye to the Finnish goalkeeper.

– money for a comfortable life, he has already won in Saint PETERSBOURG. Now, he just wants to play in the best hockey league in the world and win, they wrote this summer in the Finnish edition of Italehti.

On a one-year contract with "Edmonton", Koskinen earns $ 2.5 million, but 46.67% of taxes must be deducted from this amount. In the money, Mikko was seriously lost, but only in them. Although the Oilers do not claim to be the Stanley Cup, one of the best, if not the best, hockey player on the planet plays it. Connor McDavid drags "Edmonton" on himself is not the first year, now helps him and the former SKA goalkeeper.