Esa Hulkonen Hitting Machine!

6'9" 272 pound Esa Hulkonen has been checking everything that moves during his 11 games this season for Piebalgas Lauvas in the JHL. Through 11 games Hulkonen has 27 hits, good for 2nd in the league. He is only 7 hits behind the league leader Arnolds Dambis. With Hulkonen being bigger and stronger than Dambis, there's no question Esa should take hold of the league lead in hits before the end of the season. Esa Hulkonen physical play has helped Lauvas to a nice record this season and he's provided solid defensive play as well. Hulkonen is +2 on the season and has been very strong in the defensive zone and disrupting plays off the rush. Hulkonen steps up to hit puck carriers and often time knocks them off their skates. He's realized early in this carrer that as a defenseman in the JHL your main job is to hit, pass and play defense. Esa will now focus on those areas as he further develops his game.

Esa came into the league as a strong offensive defenseman with 80 shot power in slap shot and 70 in slap shot accuracy as well as 70 in wrist shot power. His plan was to take many shots from the point. However, with just 2 shots on the season he's realized this points and practice hours may be wasted. Hulkonen will now put everything he earns into checking, aggressiveness and passing. Those are the areas he's identified as difference makers for a defenseman and he wants to become the biggest, meanest, baddest and most feared defenseman in the JHL and eventually LSHL. Now here is Esa Hulkonen for interview...

Media: Hello Esa, please don't hurt us. How do you think you've played for Piebalgas this season?

Hulkonen: Thanks, if you behave I will not have to destroy you. I think I've played well, my defensive game has been strong and I'm learning what my teams needs me to do and that is to be physical. I'm not needed to score, so I will focus on killing people.

Media: Do you think you'll be able to pass Arnolds Dambis for the league lead in hits?

Hulkonen: Yes of course, it is my goal to be the #1 hitter in the JHL and I will not stop hitting people until I am the best. Then once I am the best I will hit people even more and become the greatest of all time.

Media: Are you upset at all that you only have 2 shots this season after so much work into your shooting?

Hulkonen: It's a little disappointing I am not taking more shots, but I still with the work I've put into shooting already, I'll have a good shot when I do get a chance and now I don't have to work on it for a while and can focus on other areas like checking, passing, skating and aggressiveness.

Media: Thanks Esa Hulkonen, we appreciate the interview, best of luck the rest of the season.

Hulkonen: No problem, thanks for having me.

[520 Words]

5 tp.