PART 4: MANITOBA’ S HOCKEY FAMILIES
before being dealt to the Waywayseecappo Wolverines at the trade deadline.
“ I enjoyed my time at Wayway,” he recalled.“ I lived with three other players in our billet, Jean’ s place. It was a tiny little house and it was nice living with teammates including Tanner Posh, Drake Bodie, and Craig Fournier. I still keep in touch with them.”
After a year with Wayway, Kristjon landed
with the Winnipeg Blues and was paired up with another 20-year-old defensemen, Michael Forseth, from Bemidji, Minn. Kristjon likes playing close to home.
“ I’ m really focused this year on my defensive play and I want to work hard and try to make the jump to a college team next year,” he said.“ Hopefully a Division 1 team in the NCAA.”
Kristjon believes two of his former coaches have made positive impacts on his hockey life. Interlake’ s Jim Stevenson, whom Kristjon says gave him confidence as a player and Barry Butler, the head coach and GM in Waywayseecappo.
“ Jim was all about giving players a chance,” Kristjon explained.“ We could make mistakes, but he expected us to take ownership and learn from our mistakes. Barry was just a good guy to turn to with hockey or nonhockey problems or issues. I learned a lot from both of them.”
For Kristjon’ s younger brother Nick, 14, the serious part of his hockey career is about to begin. He’ s excited about the upcoming WHL draft and the prospect of being selected like his dad and brother. Nick considers himself a more physical player then his older brother and is always looking to take the body.
“ I think my strengths are hitting and passing, but if I see a lane open I don’ t hesitate to rush the puck, either,” he said.“ I like rushing the puck, but my team always comes first. I try to read the play before it happens, but I work hard not to get out of position.”
It’ s been a tough season for Nick and the Lightning, but the team captain is not deterred.
“ Not all of our players have the same skill set but that’ s OK,” he said.“ The thing is, we’ re a tight knit group and we all get along and stick up for each other. This is a fun team to be on and we’ ll work hard to do better in the New Year. We work hard together in order to balance things out. The stronger players supporting those that don’ t have as much skill. The team always comes first.”
When asked what advice he’ s received from his dad and his brother, Nick is quick to respond:“ Keep my head up and play my game,” he said.“ Look to make a play when it’ s there and look for opportunities. Don’ t be scared, just play.”
Nick has worked hard at NRG and believes that if he keeps working, he could have a long hockey career. Kristjon has seen how hard his younger brother works and is quite pleased. Obviously, the advice handed down to the youngest Finnson is paying off.
Nick singled out his spring hockey coach, Shawn Nelson, as someone who has made a difference in his hockey life. As well, his current coach Chad Balmer is also a role model who no matter what, keeps pushing his team in a constructive way.
“ Shawn always expected the best from me and he always pushed me to do better.” Nick said.“ I trusted him and he’ s made me a way better player. I’ ve only had Chad as a coach for half-a-year but he’ s great and keeps us in line and concentrates on the positives even though we aren’ t winning.”
Kristjon plans to start taking some university courses in 2017 to prepare himself for a full year of university in 2017-2018. Nick is currently in Grade 9 and says his grades are in the 80s and while he’ s most interested in business, he also likes his metal-shops class. Like most Interlake lads, the boys like snowmobiling and enjoying the outdoors.
Interestingly, both young players are superstitious. They put the left side of their equipment on first and they always eat pasta as a pre-game meal, in order to“ carb up.”
Although neither brother has been in an“ official” hockey fight, both have had their share of scuffles. Both argue that fighting is an integral part of the game and a minor penalty sometimes isn’ t enough of a deterrent.
“ If a guy takes a dirty shot at one of your players, he has to be dealt with,” explained Nick, while Kristjon added,“ Fighting is needed to remind players that taking liberties against the better players on the ice is the game’ s way of dealing with those who frequently break the rules.”
When you spend time talking with the Finnsons – from Afi to Larry and from Kristjon to Nick – you realize how much the entire family loves the game.
In the Finnson household, hockey has been passed from generation-to-generation and there is no reason to believe that’ s ever going to stop. n
66 GAME ON 2016- 17 ROSTER DEADLINE EDITION