Mikko Koivu
By: Steve Miller
13 August, 2002

WTH.com-Mikko Koivu has gotten a lot of attention from Wild fans since the moment his name was called at the Draft. The 19-year old centreman from Finland, the Minnesota Wild’s first round selection (6th overall) in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft, recently played in the 2002 USA Hockey Summer Challenge in Lake Placid, New York; which was his third, and final trip to the event. “I think it’s a great opportunity to get in shape for the season,” said the 6’2” Koivu. For three years now, Koivu has made the annual trek to Lake Placid with his Finnish teammates to take part in the Summer Challenge, which serves as the selection camp for the United States U20 National Team. All of the games are played in what has simply become known as the 1980 Arena, made famous by the ‘Miracle on Ice’ from the 1980 Winter Olympics in which the USA came out of nowhere to take the gold medal. “There is a lot of history in this rink,” he says as he points out a banner above us commemorating the 1980 gold medal victory.

The Finnish team won the 2002 Summer Challenge, beating Team USA Blue by scores of 5-4, and 6-3, and defeating Team USA White 5-2; all of which came after being downed 5-3 in the opening game by Team USA White. Lake Placid is located in the Adirondack Mountains, roughly 300 miles north of NYC, and its population is no more than 4,000 residents. Team Finland arrived in Lake Placid with less than 24 hours before the drop of the puck in game 1 against USA White. Koivu, an assistant captain with the squad indicated that the lack of rest definitely contributed to the game 1 loss: “We were tired in the first game. We arrived the day before in New York City and had to take a 7 hour bus ride to Lake Placid…” he said, “we had to adapt to the time difference and everything, it was tough.” As the tournament went on, however, the Finns found their stride and reeled off three consecutive victories. “We really got better as the tournament went on, by the last game we were playing great hockey, but…” mentions Koivu, “I could have been better. I though I played alright, but I know I can be a lot better.” Koivu centered a line with TPS Turku teammate Matti Aho and Dallas Stars’ prospect Jussi Jokinen. In the four game series, Koivu had his name called three times as he picked up a trio of assists.

It was obvious from the drop of the puck in the first game that Mikko Koivu would have to earn every inch on the ice as the American teams were sending double coverage on Koivu, ensuring the big center would not hurt them. The US teams were trying to play physical against Koivu, but the 6’2” 175 lb. Finn took everything they had to offer and even dished out a little physicality of his own. “Contact is just a part of the game, and I really don’t mind it. I have been playing contact hockey for 10 years and have just gotten used to it.” Koivu said. When Koivu comes to North America to play pro he will have to deal with the increased physicality that comes with playing on the smaller, so that has to faze him, right? “Big rink, small rink, it doesn’t matter, I just go out there and play my game. Besides, in the SM-Liiga 10 clubs play on small ice surfaces, I am used to it,” Boasted the TPS Turku veteran.

Koivu has had a large shadow looming over him, and that comes from his older brother, Saku, the captain of the Montreal Canadiens. One would think that two high-level athletes such as the Koivu brothers would have a sibling rivalry, but nothing could be further from the truth. The younger Koivu looks up to his brother with a starry-eyed gaze; “There’s no comparison, he is the man!” says little brother Mikko; “Saku is great on the ice but he is an even greater man off the ice.” With Saku already achieving God-like status in Montreal, it was Mikko’s turn to jump into the spotlight, as he was rated 4th among European skaters for the 2001 NHL Entry Draft held in Sunrise, Florida. Many people in Montreal were hoping to see the Canadiens land Mikko, but it was the second-year Minnesota Wild who jumped at the chance to land Koivu at the number six slot, one pick ahead of the Canadiens. “I wasn’t really hoping for any particular team to pick me, not even Montreal. I was just going to be happy if someone picked me!” explains Koivu. “I was happy to go to Minnesota, it’s a classy organization and it is a good situation for me.” Since that day in Florida when Koivu heard his name called, he has returned to Finland to play in the Finnish Elite League (The SM-Liiga) with his hometown team, TPS Turku, however he has kept in contact with the Wild organization by periodically speaking with European Scout Matti Vaisanen over the phone, as well as meeting with Vaisanen whenever he is in town.

The big question on the mind of Wild fans, is when will Koivu make his appearance in the land of 10,000 lakes? “Well…” he says pausing for a second, “When I am ready, I guess…I would just like to succeed at home first and when I feel comfortable I will go to play with Minnesota, but right now I just want to concentrate on the year ahead of me.” Koivu hopes that the 2002-03 season is a much better one both for him as well as his TPS Turku teammates. TPS has added some good young players including former Cornell University standout goaltender Jason Elliot as well as some seasoned veterans like Tuomas Gronman who played 38 NHL games with the Blackhawks and Penguins. Koivu likes the additions: “It’s going to be a better year, the team has great spirit and I think we will succeed.” Koivu also hopes to improve on his 7-point season last year, and with the additions to the team, things are looking good for TPS in 2002-03.

Although Koivu is at least a year or two away from suiting up in the green, red and gold that is the Minnesota Wild uniform, he does appreciate the fact that a lot of Wild fans are behind him and are interested to see how he is faring back home. “I have heard nothing but good things about the fans, I just hope they enjoy watching their team and hopefully the Wild can challenge for a playoff spot, especially when I get there.”