nikkurri17 109 Posted September 26, 2014 Share Posted September 26, 2014 (edited) Niklas Kurri remains a bit of a mystery to casual followers of the VHL. Kurri played in 45 games, scored 7 goals on 64 shots, added 16 assists and achieved a respectable plus/minus rating of +4 for the Brampton Blades of the VHLM during Season 39. Kurri also dished out 50 hits showing that he has the potential to play a more physical game as he matures. Niklas appeared in 7 playoff games, scored a goal, added a couple of assists and blocked an impressive 12 shots. Kurri was recently selected in the 3rd round, 27th overall in the VHL draft by the rebuilding Seattle Bears franchise and 28th overall by the Saskatoon Wild in the 3rd round of the VHLM dispersal draft. Jaine Doh of the Seattle Gazette caught up with Finnish center Niklas Kurri and asked him some questions regarding various topics. JD: Thanks for joining us Nik! Welcome to Seattle! NK: Thanks Jaine, my pleasure! Glad to be here. JD: I'm ecstatic that your in Seattle now! We look forward to following you around and seeing what the life of a professional hockey player is like on a daily basis. NK: Well I'm very happy to be in Seattle! It's a beautiful city and there is a lot I look forward to in the future.... I don't know about being followed around... your joking right? JD: Of course not Nik! Your the next big thing! Anyways, whats it like being a hockey player with the last name Kurri? NK: Well my uncle Jari certainly set the bar pretty high! I don't view myself differently than any other person trying to make it as a professional hockey player. It takes hardwork and dedication to make it. Just because you have a relative who has been successful does not guarantee the same for yourself, if that was the case Brent Gretzky would be a hall of famer... It's not like a government job! I have a lot to prove if I want to be successful as a professional and I can't worry about trying to live up to my uncles success. It does have it's benefits though, I plan on asking Gretz for some passing tips and maybe Teemu has some free time to help me train now! JD: Don't be modest Nik, your going to be a star! What were the VHL and VHLM GM's thinking the other day when they continuously passed you up in the drafts? You should have went #1! NK: Well for one I didn't have that good of a season... Honestly I didn't train hard enough to deserve to be picked that high. Like I said I have a lot to prove and I really need to start focusing on what it takes to be a VHL player between games. I don't blame the GM's for passing me up and at the same time I'm extremely happy with how things worked out. I played a year of Junior with the Everett Silvertips so I'm familiar with the area and have some friends in the community. I think that will help me adjust quickly and dedicate myself to being successful. JD: So you will be here in Seattle this season then? NK: No, actually I will be spending the season with the Saskatoon Wild. I know some people within the organization. I can't wait to get the season underway and truly dedicate myself to becoming a VHL player! JD: Oh wow .... I don't know what to say ... um anyways, Seattle is in a rebuild, are you dissapointed you didn't go to a team that is an immediate contender? NK: No not at all, I feel the situation in Seattle is perfect for me. I look forward to helping turn things around and I think we can create something very special in Seattle! I've had some good conversations with the GM Bushito and he seems very committed to turning things around and creating a winning culture in Seattle. I can't wait to get there next season but for now my focus will be with the Saskatoon Wild. JD: I can't wait .... Please come to Seattle this season? NK: Wait a sec... are you that crazy reporter from St. Louis that was stalking Bottas?? JD: Me .... nooooooo... of course not! who's Bottas? NK: Ohh .... I coulda swore .. nevermind.. yeah Bottas, a client of my agent's from a different league. Anyways I gotta go catch a flight ... Thanks for having me? I think? JD: The pleasure is all mine NIk, call me? NK: Oh shit you are that reporter!! This interview is over! Edited September 26, 2014 by nikkurri17 scoop 1 Link to comment https://vhlforum.com/topic/12558-claimedniklas-kurri-interview/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
Da Trifecta 1,899 Posted September 26, 2014 Share Posted September 26, 2014 Content: 3/3 Nice write up here. Good to see new members getting involved more. Niklas should be solid with more work. Grammar: 2/2 a few things Appearance: 1/1 FINAL: 6/6 dissapointed - disappointed hardwork - hard work (2 words) Link to comment https://vhlforum.com/topic/12558-claimedniklas-kurri-interview/#findComment-127137 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Da Trifecta 1,899 Posted September 27, 2014 Share Posted September 27, 2014 Claimed Link to comment https://vhlforum.com/topic/12558-claimedniklas-kurri-interview/#findComment-127503 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ball 453 Posted October 2, 2014 Share Posted October 2, 2014 Claimed Link to comment https://vhlforum.com/topic/12558-claimedniklas-kurri-interview/#findComment-130594 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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