Esa Hulkonen Drafted by Rigas Trieciens!!!

Esa Hulkonen Drafted!!!


Esa Hulkonen puts on the Trieciens jersey for the first time at the S9 Draft!

"With the 5th overall pick in the S9 LSHL Entry Draft, the Rigas Trieciens select, from Piebalgas Lauvas.... Defenseman Esa Hulkonen!"


Those were the words that JHL champion Esa Hulkonen heard on draft day as he walked up to the podium to meet his new GM's and put on the Trieciens jersey. In taking Esa Hulkonen, the Trieciens have selected the biggest most physical defenseman in the draft and one of the best defenseman to come out of the JHL in many years. Hulkonen is coming off a championship run with Piebalgas where he proved his worth by having many assists and hits in the playoffs and helping them win the cup. He was leaned on hevaily in the post-season and many scouts say that without Esa, Piebalgas would not have won the cup, that is how important he was to the team. Hulkonen also had a huge regular season, throwing 59 hits! At 6'9" and 272 pounds, he is truly a beast on the ice and is not someone that other teams in the LSHL will enjoy playing against. He should fit in well on the Trieciens as he knows a few players on the team and it should be a seamless transition in the LSHL. Now here is Esa Hulkonen for interview,



Congrats on being drafted Esa! How do you feel?

Esa: Ahhhh, I feel great! I am so excited to have been drafted to the LSHL, this is a dream come true!

How does is feel going 5th overall to Rigas, did you think you'd go that high?

Esa: Ahhh, I had no idea I would go that high to be honest, I knew Rigas was interested in me, they contacted me before the draft, but I never imagined I would be a 1st round pick and a top 5, I am truly humbled. This is a special day for me and my family.

Do you know any players on Rigas?

Esa: Yes, I know a couple players, Kriss Labsvards, Vincent Vega and Kristian Kulda are players I am familiar with. I think I will fit in well in the locker room and knowing some people on the team should help me get comfortable in the LSHL. I just hope I do not have to share a locker with Vincent Vega or room with him on the road. He is not a very clean player.

Do you think you will play in LSHL next season or return to Piebalgas?

Esa: I don't know for sure, I am not even sure about the rules, but if my new team thinks I can help them in LSHL then I would be excited to play there, if they want me to do more seasoning in juniors then I will try and help Piebalgas defend our championship.

Are you excited for your teammate Tonijs Montana going 1st overall?

Esa: Yes, very happy for him, he is an amazing player and basically won Piebalgas the championship, he deserves to be 1st overall and will become a superstar, no question about it. He is great.

Well thank you for joining us Esa and congrats again on being drafted to Rigas Trieciens!

Esa: Thank you, I cannot wait to play my first game with my new team!

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