Then maybe Jesse played in Brynäs now “- Aftonbladet

He is seen as Finland’s greatest hockey talent since Teemu Selanne.

But JVMs points King Jesse Puljujärvi could actually have been Swedish.

– My wife, thrived not in Älvkarleby, so we moved to Finland when Jesse was barely five years, says father Jari Sportbladet.

Jari, 45, and Tuula, 51 , now living in Tornio, the border town in western Lapland. Some Finnish javelin throw away, on the other side of the Torne River, lies Swedish Haparanda.

But Jari Puljujärvi has lived most of his life in Sweden. His parents moved here in 1967 and Jari was born in Hofors 1970.

He quickly became bilingual, and over the years on Petr School in the small Gästrike resort also arose the interest in hockey.

– Today I am probably still better in Swedish, he says in the spot Finnish.

Should we take it in Swedish, then? Tai suomeksi?

– Suomeksi.

You were a pretty good hockey player?

– Yes, I was in the TV-Puck and played the highest in division 2 with Hofors HC. I was a forward and probably had the same style of play that Jesse has. But I was of course not as good as he is … hehe. But when we moved to Älvkarleby I was 17 years, Jesse is today, and finished with hockey. READ ALSO Swedish reply: “Do munch them up”

“This had Jesse might have played in Brynäs now”

In Älvkarleby commuted He scarce mile to work at Stora Enso in Skutskär and a few years later he met Tuula.

– She lived in Finland and we met at a Finnish ferry, he says.

7 May 1998 born Jesse John Puljujärvi. The daughter Jenna was born two years later.

Life in Älvkarleby proceeded calmly.

The children learned to crawl, learning to walk.

But skating knowledgeable child became first in Finland.

in August 2002 – when Jesse was four and a half years – packed family belongings together and moved 100 mil north.

– My wife did not like it in Älvkarleby . So it was a natural thing. And I’ve always felt more fine despite over 30 years in Sweden. I had many Finnish friends there and the thoughts on moving back there was even with me. But if we stayed maybe Jesse played in Brynäs now, says Jari.

In the autumn of 2003, Puljujärvis received the order of things in Tornio, Jari job at Outokumpu, Tuula in a retirement home and Jesse and Jenna went at kindergarten. READ ALSO Nylander stopped: “Obviously sorry”

left home at age 13

When it was time for the 5-year-old Jesse take his first cut.

– We reported him to the skating school and they immediately saw that he had a natural talent for it. A few months later, in January 2004, he was in his first team in Tornio IHC. He played with seven- and eight-year-olds, those who were two years older, dad says Jari.

Rocket Development continued, and many understand that this was a prodigy in the ice surface.

2011, when Jesse was 13 years, was a crucial decision.

– We decided it together within the family. Jesse moved on their own to Oulu, 140 kilometers away, to bet on hockey. It was of course difficult for the mother. Sometimes, it could go a month without that she met Jesse. But because I was working shifts, I could go there a couple times a week. And the club and coaches took care of him in a wonderful way so that no problems arose, Jari Puljujärvi.

A decision to Jesse would bet on hockey hundred percent were also taken. When he went out the ninth grade was schooling completed.

And hockey went well.

Or more accurately: Brilliant.

Better point average than Gretzky

Jesse Puljujärvi played in Kärpäts U16 team in just over three years (incised over one point per game all the way) and autumn of 2014 he got – 16 years young – to debut in the SM-liiga.

Then there was the games in both Finland U18- and U20 national team, where he also was featured in last year’s JVM.

– Then there was no points, but this year it’s been there says Jari.

There’s been quite there.

190 centimes tall and 91 kilograms tunge Jesse Puljujärvis Junior World Championships has been the best one barred player ever achieved.

Finland’s five matches so far he has produced peerless 15 points distributed on 5 goals and 10 assists.

It provides a scoring average of exactly three per game and with it outshines he Wayne Gretzky (2.83 points per game), Jaromir Jagr (2 , 57) and Eric Lindros (2.43), previously the worst in the JVM before age 18.

Jesse Puljujärvi still have dual passports – Finnish and Swedish. But where the heart is, there is no doubt about that.

– I have no family left in Sweden and I can not Swedish, but I remember little from the time there. However, I will wear the Finnish sweater my whole life, Jesse said after the quarter-final victory against Canada. READ ALSO PLUS list: 25 biggest stars of the JVM

” Sweden taking bronze “

My father Jari himself was in place in Helsinki and saw the first matches, but Monday’s semifinal against Sweden, he follows on TV.

– I work mornings. Then it becomes the match home with the family, he said.

How is it going?

– Finland wins. Defence game has been a bit choppy so far, but I think they can order it now. Finland go to the final and Sweden taking bronze.

After the JVM continues Jesse to play with Kärpät in the SM-liiga where he won the Finnish championship gold last year.

This summer is the time for the next big event in his career. But this time may not be the family itself determine the outcome.

On June 24, conducted NHL draften in First Niagara Center, Buffalo Sabres home arena.

Most experts agree that the American Auston Matthews goes as the first choice. But after the success of the JVM now have both Jesse Puljujärvi and his radar partners Patrick Laine emerged as candidates to join the top 3.

– We go to Buffalo entire family. It will be exciting, says Jari.

Something favorite team in the NHL?

– Well, not directly. Both me and Jesse have mentioned Chicago before, but it was enlarged.

Can press on Jesse be too big?

– No, I do not think . He feels no pressure yourself but think it is just fun to play hockey. And of course, I’m very proud of him.

Sweden-Finland sent in TV12 on Monday at 15:00!