Aatos Koivu is the son of Saku Koivu, so there’s a lot to live up to right there. Going into this season, he had a lot to prove heading into his draft season. He was 126 pounds not that long ago, but he’s worked on that, and now he’s carrying more muscle and is stronger as a result.
He scored in his first game at the Five Nations tournament.
“My goal was good passing from my teammates. I got to put that into an open net. The one that I assisted was a nice goal from our line,” said Aatos Koivu.
I think Koivu is currently a third-line talent with a vague chance of being a second-liner in the future.
“Back home, I’ve been a first and second-line center. The same role as here (in the Five Nations). I think I’m the type of player that could play first or second-line center.”
Being left off the Hlinka last season seems to have fueled his fire.
“I want to show my offensive abilities and also want to be a defensive player even though I’m not at my best in my defensive zone,” Koivu said honestly. “Then I want to show my offensive skills and my shot. The way that I can make my teammates better and overall good play on the ice.”
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Turning professional came sooner than he expected.
“That was a surprise to get to play in professional debut at this time. It was very nice and probably the biggest thing in my career,” Koivu added. “I learned a lot and I got to learn how much it takes at that level compared to the level I played before that. It was a very nice experience for me.”
A cup of coffee in Liiga helped.
“I thought I would be with the U18 all season, and then I started to get comfortable there. I became a better player beyond the season. I got a chance to train with the U20 and play with them,” Koivu explained, and he’s still at that level. “In Liiga, there were a lot of players who were injured and sick, so I got a chance to play there.”
His first hockey memories were in the United States.
“Yes, my start was in California. I was little when I was in Canada, so I was four, maybe five,” Koivu remembered.
His father’s career isn’t a vivid memory for him.
“I was so little it’s kind of sad I didn’t watch the games. It’s not like watching NHL games now. I was playing hockey in the halls with my friends,” Koivu chuckled. “I should have watched the games more.”
I like his speed up the ice. He has a slick one-timer, and he’s at home on the power play, even playing the point at times in the Five Nations. The hockey I.Q. is there, and some more strength will help him around the net. Aatos Koivu could go in the late second or sometime in the third round of the 2024 NHL Draft.
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