− My agent asked if I was interested in playing in North America. When Green Bay Gamblers heard that I was interested, they contacted my agent, Vili Saarijärvi says.
− I've always wanted to play here so I used my opportunity.
The move from Oulu, Finland, to Green Bay wasn't the first time the young defender moved for hockey. Saarijärvi started his career in RoKi from Rovaniemi but at the age of 15 he moved to Oulu to play for Kärpät. Moving from a city to another has always been exciting but still worth it.
− I moved to Oulu alone even though I was a bit anxious. Everybody helped me a lot and eventually everything went well.
− Moving a bit further wasn't any harder except that now I'm not able to see my family so much. I have talked with my family about moving so that everything will work out outside the rink, Saarijärvi answers.
The defenseman, who represented Finland in the U18 tournament this fall, lives in Green Bay with a family and his teammate. Everything has been taken care of so that the young players would have the best possible conditions.
− The family is really nice and having a teammate with me was a huge help at the beginning. We have certain times when we have to be home. All the snacks and meals are properly done.
The leap of faith was worth taking
USHL, aka United States Hockey League, is the main junior league in the country. It has been divided into eastern and western conference like the NHL. Saarijärvi says the league is a very good one and that they put much effort into video coaching.
− We watch personal game videos after every match. We also scout the opposite team's power play to know their weaknesses.
− The smaller ice brings more physicalness to the game. The speed is also very different compared to the U20-league in Finland, he analyzes.
− The speed is also very different compared to U20-league in Finland, he analyzes.
Saarijärvi is not the only Finn in USHL. Also Joel Janatuinen and Waltteri Hopponen are playing in the league but, unlike Saarijärvi, they play for Sioux City. Hopponen has already spent a season in North America, but Janatuinen made his debut at the beginning of this season. The two debuting Finns seem to find company in each other.
− We have talked a lot and changed greetings. I have also chatted with a few friends who are playing in Canada, Saarijärvi says.
All in all there are 23 foreign players in the league. Finland's western neighbour Sweden has seven youngsters in USHL while Finland only has three. Saarijärvi is the only foreigner in Green Bay if you don't count the team's two German players, goaltender Kevin Reich and forward Marc Michaels.
USHL has matured Saarijärvi a lot as a player. He says that there's still a lot to do with the physical play in the defensive zone but the league has already turned out to be the right choice.
− I've developed the most in skating and I have gotten much tougher, he considers.
− I recommend USHL if you have a slightest chance of going, Saarijärvi adds happily.
Different position but still shooting
The defender has made quite impressive points if you think about his position. Last season, he got ten points in eight games when he played for Kärpät U18. Later that season he scored seven times and gave 21 assists for Kärpät U20.
The modest Finn likes to hold the puck but doesn't think that his points are special in any way.
− I played as a forward when I was younger and that might have been a big part of my puck skills.
The defenceman has already gone through many World Junior Championship tournaments and camps in Finland since Saarijärvi has played for his country in U16, U17 and U18. "The Finn of the fall" is proud to play in the colours of his home country even though he didn't make it to the U20 national team.
− There are many strong players coming up through the ranks so I have to work hard every day and give my best.
− Getting left out from the under 20-year-olds national team didn't come as a surprise because we didn't talk about playing there at all. Of course it would have been great but maybe next year!
The 17-year-old player has − no doubt − the whole future ahead of him. Despite the upcoming NHL-draft and the U18 World Champions, Saarijärvi decides to focus on playing. After all, that's the thing that makes a difference.
− Of course playing in the NHL is my dream but it's still a long way to go.
− My goal for this season is to play in the U18 national team in spring but we'll see how long the season here in Green Bay goes. Now I'm just trying to do my best on ice and outside it and we'll see where it takes me, Saarijärvi concludes.
