LAS VEGAS | If the young man’s development follows the desired curve, the Canadian’s history will include a second Koivu in its ranks.
Thirty-one years after his father Saku, Aatos Koivu heard his name pronounced by the Habs staff. If the father was a first round choice (21st), the offspring had to wait until the third round, at 70th place, to hear his name.
In fact, since he stayed in Finland so as not to interrupt his summer training, Koivu saw his name instead.
“It was quiet in the house. Montreal had the next choice. I was staring at the bottom of the screen in silence. Suddenly, my mother started screaming,” the 18-year-old center said via video conference. “Then I saw my name. My father started jumping around too.”
“It’s surreal. I’m so happy and excited. I can’t find the words to describe what I feel,” he also said.
Father in the nose
Obviously, Aatos will present himself in Montreal preceded by his last name: that of the captain of the Canadian who had the longest reign, tied with Jean Béliveau. He doesn’t worry too much about the pressure this might place on his shoulders.
“Yes, people know who my father is, where he played. I don’t think it will be a bad thing, he argued. I think I’ll be able to make my own name, play my own way, be myself and try to become the best player I can be. »
What kind of player is he, exactly?
“I’m a responsible defensive center. My strengths are my skating, my shot, my ability to read the game.”
Finally, he looks like his father…
“I have the same strengths and weaknesses as my father,” he acknowledged. “I think Sebastian Aho has a style of play that is similar to mine. It’s a good comparison.”
The League first
Since he was born in 2006, Aatos doesn’t have many memories of Montreal. He has a lot more from Anaheim, where his father played from 2009-2014.
“From Montreal, I remember the house, the neighbourhood where we lived (Île des Sœurs) and the Bell Centre,” he said. “However, I remember his last game at the Bell Centre. Everyone was emotional, including me.”
Before thinking about joining the Habs, Aatos Koivu will spend, at least, another season in Finland. His next goal is to secure a regular position with TPS Turku of SM-Liiga, Finland’s top league.
“I train with them, but it’s not enough for me. I want to be there, I want to play an important role, play big minutes, he said. I’m going to train as much as possible this summer to increase my build, my skating and my shooting. Everything needs to be improved. »
He will undoubtedly aim for an invitation to the World Junior Hockey Championship. Last year, he made his first breakthrough on the international scene by participating in the World Under-18 Championship.
