Comment | This is why Jesse Puljujärvi, 26, shines in Leijon – the words in the MM arena’s umens say it all

Prague

Canada–Finland 5–3

When Jukka Jalonen chose Jesse Puljujärvi To the Lions World Cup team, he only expected good basic play from the big guy from Torni, but he got much more.

Puljujärvi was already one of the Lions’ most successful players in this tournament before Saturday’s Canada match, now he is even stronger.

Puljujärvi is currently writing an incredible story.

Even less than a year ago, it was uncertain whether the young Finn would ever be able to play hockey again.

Artificial joints were installed in both of Puljujärvi’s hips in New York on June 19. A similar operation had reportedly never been performed on a top ice hockey player, so it was impossible to know how the rehabilitation process would go, or how Puljujärvi’s legs would begin to function with the artificial joints.

Cutting was so demanding and big that Puljujärvi had to use a walker for the first couple of weeks and suffered from such severe pain that he couldn’t even sleep.

At that point, the hockey player’s own faith was also tested. However, he had decided that he would still play hockey.

“The doctors did say that I can still play. I trusted it. But at the beginning it felt like the journey was incredibly long,” Puljujärvi said earlier in this tournament after the Lions’ practice.

“I knew that everything was up to me. I decided that I would do all the work required to be able to play again. And so I did,” Puljujärvi said.

Puljujärvi’s words tell everything about his character.

Puljujärvi is a carefree, always happy child of nature, but inside him lives a fierce, hockey-loving competitive nature. Rehabilitating from double hip surgery to become an NHL player and the Lions’ World Cup star is a feat that many with a weaker character would miss.

Puljujärvi’s story is also an indication of how getting out of pressure can make a hockey player’s life easier.

Puljujärvi is no longer watched as a four-man NHL reserve, but as a player who has gone through the bottom of his career and is rebuilding his identity as a hockey player.

Puljujärvi also came to the World Championships in the Czech Republic humbly through a “trial period”, and he does not have to carry the burden of results on his shoulders.

This is a convenient layout for Puljujärvi. Now successes and power points are just extras, so it’s easier for him to enjoy playing.

Puljujärvi self-confidence has improved in the eyes during the World Cup in Prague.

Already in the Lions’ previous match against Austria, there were indications that Puljujärvi is really starting to trust his skills. This has never been the case since 2021. Puljujärvi’s great decline in the Edmonton Oilers began at the turn of 2022.

Puljujärvi arrived on the Leijoni’s trip to the Czech EHT tournament before the World Cup tournament, where he was still sore. He played about nine minutes per game for the Pittsburgh Penguins in the NHL this season, and miracles are rarely done in that time.

That’s why Puljujärvi didn’t want to get into the rhythm in Leijon either. He was still hasty with the puck and splashed it off his stage just like he was used to in the NHL.

Puljujärvi, who had success at the very beginning of the World Cup, already against Austria dared to stay on the puck and use his big body to protect the game equipment from the opponents. He passed to his teammates in a way that promoted the game, instead of being satisfied with transfer pucks.

Canada against Puljujärvi was able to do the same, which is a shocking surprise. Although time and space were significantly reduced under the pressure of the NHL men, Puljujärvi was one of the Lions’ most reliable players and one of the few who could win singles matches.

In the two goals he scored, Puljujärvi had sought the right place in front of the goal, where he is at his best.

Now it truly seems that Puljujärvi is finally realizing its strength in the rink.

Improved physics also make playing easier. After surgery and a shockingly demanding rehabilitation process, Puljujärvi is in even worse shape than before.

In principle, the 193-centimeter tall should have dominated the rink with his physique for years, but earlier in his career, the native of Tornio was surprisingly often at his peak in singles matches. Now he has found that he can do well in the struggle and has started to rush into them with great confidence.

In addition to all this, Puljujärvi is an excellent team player. He smiles and jokes during training and sincerely rejoices at success. Even in front of the media, the happy pill is always in a good mood.

That’s why Puljujärvi’s value to the Lions’ team is even greater than his power points or fighting victories in the rink.

Is great to see how Puljujärvi has learned to enjoy hockey again.

It’s still pointless to expect an NHL scorer from Puljujärvi, but this spring’s performances give more faith that the 26-year-old forward can still create a respectable career in the big bucks.

And the native of Tornio is not even in full health yet. Rehabilitation from double hip surgery is a long process, and the nerves and strength levels of Puljujärvi’s legs are not yet at the best possible level.

If anyone still doubted Puljujärvi’s ability to commit to top sports or his character, now is the right time to stop.