Talk about your success in hockey-Finland NHL, Minors

It has been an interesting 12 years since I retired from playing in 1995. IFK Helsinki was a great challenge at a young age as a manager. Expectations were high from fans, sponsors and everybody else, but I think I had just as high expectations for myself. At that time it was possible to work in the NHL and Finnish League at the same time, so combining scouting in Europe for Ottawa and managing IFK Helsinki was perfect match for me and my both jobs. I learned a lot from great hockey people like John Ferguson Sr., who just passed away and GMs like Randy Sexton, Pierre Gauthier and Marshall Johnston who I view as a mentor of my personal development in player evaluation process.

How did you form one of the best teams in European hockey HIFK 98?

It was combination of many things coming together. I think were able to change the culture in the organization the year before we won the championship, even though we didn't even make the playoffs that year. The coaches Erkka Westerlund and Raimo Summanen really got that carved in stone in 1997-98 season. We had a lot of good players, both skill and physical presence, but most importantly, we had a great core with tons of leadership, character and heart.

How did you graduate to the NHL with Ottawa....position?

I started out as the European scout and in the spring of 1999, I got offered a position of Director of Player Personnel. I worked as DPP from 1999 to 2002 with the Ottawa Senators

When did you move to be with St Louis as an NHL Assistant GM?

I made a move to St. Louis in 2002 and started as the Director of Amateur Scouting. My main responsibility was and remains the NHL entry draft, the main way of infusing new talent in an organization, especially in the era of the new Collective Bargaining Agreement. I got promoted to Assistant General Manager in 2004.

What are you looking for in a D-man?

In a D-man I look for mobility in the era of "new rules". It is really hard to play defense without hooking and holding, if you are not able to move you feet fast enough. Those who survive without the fast feet these days are the ones with very good hockey sense, so that is the most important thing I am looking for. Smart defencemen are a step ahead, because they can anticipate so well.. The second most important thing I am looking for in a D-man is his heart and character. Does he have a "heart of a wrestler"? How hard does he want to battle, get in front of shots and pay the price to win hockey games.

What are you looking for in a Winger?

Again, the speed is one of the things we are looking for, but most importantly again: HOCKEY SENSE and INSTINCTS, HEART AND CHARACTER. Players with instincts accomplish things naturally, without "thinking", because on the top, you rarely have time to think, you have to read and react. That's where your instincts kick in, it is that natural sense/ feel that the best players have in the spinal cord...

What are you looking for in a Center?

Same thing again and even more on center position. Center's have to have great on ice awareness and anticipation. If you start thinking when the puck is on your stick it is too late. Best centers know what to do with the puck long before they get it.

How many years before you release high drafted players .... players never going to make it?

Drafting and developing is a process that takes patience, but if you clearly seen that you have made a mistake in player evaluation, cut the cord and move on... Hard to give a timeline, really.

What's the difference between an AHL player and a NHL player?

I would say the biggest difference is in instincts and quickness of the ability to read and react. Most of the players can skate, they are in good shape, they can shoot pass etc, basic skills are there. Some players make it to the NHL with pure determination and that is why we emphasize the HEART AND CHARACTER in our player evaluation. I often ask the prospects:"How bad do you want it?" Answers are most of time similar, it is actions that count.

Are you looking at specific type of player prospect? (role players, scorers, checkers, playmakers, tough guys)

For sure, role players checkers and tough guys are often the most underrated players in the public eye, but very much appreciated and important in the success of a winning team. Again I come back to the heart and character.

Contracts: 2 - way minor and NHL money.

Players certainly earn a nice living in the NHL. Sometimes the money seems crazy, but is a question of supply and demand.

And anything you like to mention?

I had a pleasure of working with Bob Halkidis during the season of 1997-98 on IFK Helsinki, a team that ended up winning the Finnish Championship that year. That team had a lot of skill and talent, many familiar names for hockey fans around the World. Players like Olli Jokinen, Kimmo Timonen, Brian Rafalski and Jarkko Ruutu went on to enjoy very successful NHL careers. Bob was an integral part of the defense that team had. I talked about Heart and Character a lot, earlier in this interview, Bob brought all that and more to that team. He had all those intangibles that made us a better TEAM. As a hockey professional and a player evaluator it is easy to see the skill, but it is the sense/ instincts and Heart/ Character that count the most if you want to win as an individual and ultimately as a team.

Jarmo Kekalainen
Assistant General Manager