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YouTuber Kasimir Kaskisuo opens up on the struggles of a fringe NHL goalie
YouTuber and fringe NHL goalie Kasimir Kaskisuo opened up about the struggles he faced last winter while unemployed and waiting for a team to call.
Kaskisuo, 30, went unsigned at the start of last season after spending the previous two seasons playing in Sweden. He received offers from European clubs but wanted to stay in North America and continue pursuing his NHL dream. So Kaskisuo and his family settled in Minnesota to wait it out.
With no team and no income, Kaskisuo had to get creative. Once or twice a week, he paid $15 to rent ice time at a local rink in Burnsville, Minnesota. He would bring along Southern Professional Hockey League player John Schiavo to shoot on him so he could stay in shape and ready for whenever a team came calling.
"Going back and skating at that same rink this summer was giving me PTSD," Kaskisuo said as per Athletic. "Just from remembering those December mornings, going there and not really knowing what was going to happen."
The rink sessions were the best training option Kaskisuo could afford while he was unemployed. It was a difficult situation, especially with a wife and young daughter relying on him. But Kaskisuo persevered, trusting that his time would come.
Finally, in mid-December, the Montreal Canadiens offered Kaskisuo a professional tryout with their AHL affiliate, the Laval Rocket. It wasn't an NHL contract, but it was a paying job in North America. Kaskisuo eagerly signed on Dec. 18.
One factor that helped Kaskisuo stay patient and positive through months of uncertainty was his side job as a YouTuber. He began posting videos to the platform from 2017 and has grown a sizable following of over 64K subscribers.
Kasimir Kaskisuo trying out for the Boston Bruins
Kasimir Kaskisuo signed a professional tryout contract with the Boston Bruins on Sept. 18, just in time for the first day of training camp.
The Bruins invited Kasimir Kaskisuo to camp because starting goalie Jeremy Swayman remains unsigned as a restricted free agent. Bringing in Kaskisuo gave them six goalies for the start of preseason, which they prefer.
"I know there's a lot going on," Kaskisuo said, alluding to Swayman's contract negotiations.
"There are five other goalies here too. Everyone's situation is different. I can't start worrying about them. I just need to focus on doing my job. I get that any day could be my last here, and I'm embracing this opportunity."
Kasimir Kaskisuo has minimal NHL experience - just one game each with Toronto and Nashville, so this tryout represents a chance to earn a roster spot.
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