Training Camp Nightcap: Juuso Valimaki Reflects On His Summer

The Utah HC defenceman talks about how becoming a new father changed his perspective on life, among other things.

By Alex Tumalip

Earlier this summer, Juuso Valimaki invited fans to come along with him and his young family as they moved from Arizona to Utah.

However, the biggest story may have been what the camera didn't see, as the Utah HC defenceman became a father, along with teammate Lawson Crouse, for the first time.

"Everyone's who got kids knows how it changes your life in a good way," the Finnish blue-liner said. "Things that I've been stressed about don't have that much of an impact anymore."

Valimaki showed it on the ice Monday night against Los Angeles; he blocked the first shot of the game by the Kings just 90 seconds into the action.

And while the defence was a bit shaky, the veteran Fin did his part to anchor the blue line to keep Los Angeles at bay.

His attitude has even been noticeable off the ice; Valimaki joined a team-wide fantasy football league for the first time, and even paused to take in the final moments of the Manchester City-Arsenal Premier League match Sunday after practice.

But he said having the ability to document the move to Utah is something he'll always have for his newborn son.

Now the next question to answer is when he might think about putting his son on skates.

"He (Valimaki's son) will get to decide that," Valimaki said, laughing. "Knowing he's growing up around hockey, it'll probably happen pretty soon."