Bigger, faster, stronger
Islanders defenceman Saku Vesterinen ready to impress in second QMJHL season
Charlottetown Islanders defenceman Saku Vesterinen is hoping to exemplify the phrase what a difference a year makes.
The six-foot, 183-pound Finnish rearguard didn’t have a bad rookie season last year, tallying three goals, 19 points and a whopping plus-26 plusminus, but that was aided by a deep experienced d-corp including Nicolas Meloche and Guillaume Brisebois.
This year, which begins versus the Moncton Wildcats Friday at 7 p.m. at Eastlink Centre, those players are gone and the 18-year-old will find himself on the ice a lot more and expected to hold the fort in front of the Isles net.
To his credit, Vesterinen is anxious for the challenge in part because of the experience of a full year on his skates.
“I’m really excited for when the season starts… because I know the game much better. It’s faster than back home,” said Vesterinen after Isles practice Thursday. “The start of the season was hard last year, the games were very difficult. This year I have to be faster and give my best in everything.”
The Islanders nabbed Vesterinen last year in the first round, 29th overall, in the Canadian Hockey League import draft and installed him into the rotation right away. Often teamed with Pierre-Olivier Joseph, the Finland native had a decent year, getting two power-play goals and one game-winning goal.
This season, Isles head coach Jim Hulton, sees a stronger, faster and a more sturdy d-man who should use up top-four pairing minutes.
“The biggest thing right off the bat is his comfort level. (He had) a good summer in the gym, reduced his body fat and is leaner and stronger. He’s skating stronger and ready to take that next step,” said Hulton. “He and Joseph played well at certain stages last season, but matchups will determine our decisions (on pairings).
It’s also Vesterinen’s NHL draft year, which is why the 18-year-old left home to play in Canada.
So he’s intending to put his ice time and practice to good use.
“Of course with the younger D this year, younger forwards, we’ll have to work hard in every aspect of the game. We have to be good in practice. I want to keep that plus-minus on the plus side,” he said. “I want to be a key player on the ice in the defensive zone and in the offensive zone.”