Interview with Teemu Normio
Teemu Normio was born on May, 9th 1980, in
Teemu is playing guitar in his spare time. He is also playing in a band, Waistlife. Besides this time consuming hobby, he plays pool and snooker and goes to the Open University. Normio: "I want to do things instead of doing nothing, keep my mind going."
Normio started to play ice hockey in a team when he was seven years old. He played one year in a district team in
Teemu Normio played for three times in his career so far, Tappara Tampere, Hermes Kokkola and Lukko Rauma. "I only played about 15 SM-league games in Tappara. Than I decided that it would be better for my career to move on." After one good year in Hermes (scoring 14 + 23 points), he was signed by Lukko. Normio only started to realize that he could become a professional ice hockey player after his first season in Lukko."After the first year I realized that I can play in this league and this game here."
How do you prepare yourself for a new season?
"After the end of the season we have three weeks break. After that we start practicing with the team two times a day, doing weightlifting, running and playing some games like football or floorball. Just all kinds of things to get physically ready. During the summer we have one month break but than you have to keep yourself in shape by doing gym work, running, etc. We can decide for ourselves when we want to do that. We are also on the ice but that is more skill practicing, working on your shot and technique, for example."
How is a normal working day looking for you?
"During the season we practice once a day and the rest of the day we are free. When we have a game day, there is one practice in the morning and than a few hours spare time. Two hours before the match we have to be at the rink, do the warm up and we discuss the tactical plan. Those are pretty long days. When we have to travel somewhere it is even longer, especially when we go to Lapeenranta or
Do you hang out with your team mates outside ice hockey and with whom?
"I hang out a lot with my team mates. Especially when I came here from
In which arena, besides Äijänsuo, you like to play most?
"I like to play in the arena of HIFK in
In which arena you do not like to play?
"I do not like to play in Lapeenranta because it is so far away and we never managed to play well there."
What is your most memorable moment in your career?
"Winning the silver medal in the European Championship with the National team U18 in
What is your least memorable moment in your career?
"The bronze medal game last season and the two first years when I played here and we did not reach the play offs. Especially in the season 2002-2003 we had good import players and it was quite disappointing that we did not reach the play offs."
What is your favorite team in the NHL?
"Nowadays I do not have really a favorite team, but in earlier days it was the Philadelphia Flyers because of players like Eric Lindros and John LeClerc but they do not play there anymore."
Could you describe yourself as a player?
"I think I am pretty good in penalty killing, I work a lot in the game, give 100% during the game. I can carry the puck in the corners, to make room for the other players and being strong there. I can also read the game. Tackling is also one of my stronger points. Nowadays when the game is really fast and you have to be inside the game, you can not check too much because you are than outside the game. You have to think more where you are in the game. But it depends on the game also. And checking is also good for the fans; it motivates them also to encourage the team more."
What are your personal goals concerning your ice hockey career?
"I want to become a better player in all the areas. And I would like to reach the National Team that would be great. Playing abroad is also something that I would like to do. I am not thinking of the NHL but some other countries, to get other experiences and see other places."
What do you expect from Lukko the coming season?
"I expect us to get to the 6th position or better after the regular season, and that is also the goal of the team. I want to play good ice hockey with Lukko, also for the fans. I want to entertain the spectators. And winning is entertaining."
What do you expect of your role in the team in the coming season?
"I want to help the team more than last year and score more points. The team is also helped in that way. I also want to take more responsibility, it is my sixth year here and I think I am ready for that."
How is the new coach, Jarmo Tolvanen?
"He is a little bit different than Rautakorpi. You can see that he has been abroad a lot. There are a lot of things from the Swedish and Swiss league which he has brought here, like keep the game wide, handling and passing the puck, be more offensive without forgetting your defensive roll, and do not loose the puck in the offensive zone. And trust in yourself is important to him."
What is the difference between Jarmo Tolvanen and Jukka Rautakorpi?
"Rautakorpi is more a physical based coach, he knows a lot of things about playing in a physical way. Tolvanen is more of a people manager, more a part of the team."
Which coach made the best impression on you and why?
"There are a lot of coaches which give you a certain impression in a different way, but I worked a lot with Rautakorpi and I like his physical style. I felt that I was in a good shape and that I did not have to worry about that. And in the spring you always notice those things. I also played with Rautakorpi in Tappara and in the national team."
This is going to be your fifth season in Lukko. Which of the past seasons do you consider as your best?
"The first year was probably the best one, because I scored the most points and I got a lot of ice time. And the play offs of last season where also good from my side. Our line had an important role than."
What did you think of last season? Did the NHL-players added value to the SM-liiga? And what was their influence in Lukko?
"It was a pretty good thing. We realized they we could play the same game. They brought a lot of experience and they told us some things how to play and some other little things. After all it was a good thing for the league, for Lukko and also for myself."
Lukko started a few years ago with a renewed young team and some experienced players. A lot of those players left the team, like Viinanen, Koivisto, Torkki and Niskala. What do you think about that?
"It is good for them, in that way that you want to see other places also and do as much with your career as possible. And like Niskala and Koivisto had a good last season and they got a chance to play somewhere else. I have the same thoughts, I also would like to see some other places, but it depends how you play, and if other teams want you. But you never know about those that, it just depends on many things."
You played last year in a line with Yli-Junnila and Hagelberg. Do you expect that this it is also going to be like that this year, or has Jarmo Tolvanen other plans?
"In the exhibition games we played together and in the SM-league we also start to play together. It is always easier because you do not have to get used to each other anymore. But if it does not work than maybe some changes have to be made."
What is your expectation about the SM-liiga this season? Which team will be the main contenders for the title?
"It is going to be interesting. The NHL-players are not there anymore and there is a new team. Every team has to think more about there rosters, there is not so many players available anymore. There are now more chances for the young players and that makes it more interesting. I think that Kärpät has a very good team now, Jokerit and TPS also have good rosters. You never know how HIFK will do. They have a pretty young team now. Lukko does not have maybe the best roster but playing as a team is also very important and we have chances in that part. Blues has also upgraded their team in every way, with a better coach and management but I do not know if they will be already this season the main contenders."
Do you already know what you are going to do after your ice hockey career?
"I do not know yet. I study now during my ice hockey career, and I hope to get some interesting job after that. Or maybe I will pick up another study after my career. Or maybe I start a rock n roll career..."