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Teemu Selanne shares how Jari Kurri influenced his choice to join NHL four years after being drafted
Former NHL winger Teemu Selanne had a long and illustrious career in the sport. Despite entering the NHL at the age of 22, Selanne went on to play 21 seasons in the league.
The Finnish forward was drafted in the 1988 NHL draft but would join the league four years later. While speaking to host Ryan Whitney on the "Spittin’ Chiclets" podcast on Friday, Selanne opened up about how NHL legend and fellow countryman Jari Kurri helped him decide on his future after the Winnipeg Jets drafted him.
Teemu Selanne recounted attending training camp at age 18 but leaving after just two weeks, feeling unprepared for the league. Montreal Canadiens legend John Ferguson encouraged him to stay, but Selanne decided he needed more time.
“The last game we played against Minnesota in Winnipeg. And I always remember John Ferguson came to the locker room after the game with this big cigar in his mouth and said, ‘Hey boy, you’re saying’. I said, ‘No, I can't stay. I have to go.’ I was not ready to come as an 18 year old at the time,” Selanne said.
Teemu Selanne then mentioned how Jari Kurri advised waiting another year if he wasn't fully ready:
“Jari Kurri actually said that at the time, 'If you're not 100% sure, just to wait another year.' And then I said, OK, I’ll wait one more year and then I broke my tibia and fibula and I missed a whole year.”
So, Selanne remained in Finland, playing in SM-liiga for Jokerit, and went on to win the Kanada-malja Championship in 1992.
Teemu Selanne recounts not entering NHL to ‘experience’ Olympics first
While injuries delayed Teemu Delanne’s entry into the NHL, there was another major factor that saw him postpone his entry into the league: playing in the Olympics.
As NHL players were not allowed in the Olympics, Selanne wanted to experience the Games before joining the NHL. He said:
“So then ‘92 was Olympics. And I said, you know what, because NHL players are not allowed to play in Olympics, that would be something which I want to experience before I go to NHL. So that’s why I came to the NHL at age 22.
“Yeah, I was waiting four years before I came over and I think it was good for me because like now, I admire that those 18 year old kids can come and be a big impact right away in the league. But at that time I didn’t feel especially mentally I don't think I was ready to play as an 18 year old for like full season.”
Ultimately, Teemu Selanne entered the league at age 22, believing the extra time was beneficial since he felt he wasn't mentally prepared to handle a full NHL season as a teenager.
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