Esa Hulkonen Preses Konference

5th Overall Pick, Esa Hulkonen holds press conference. He was recently drafted to the LSHL by Riga Trieciens and before that won the JHL championship as #1 defender on Piebalgas Lauvas as a rookie. He has been working hard to improve his game this off-season and his future in the league is very bright. He is a big physical defenseman standing 6'9" inches tall and weighing 272 pounds. He was 2nd in the JHL last season with 56 hits and is also can produce Offense. Esa Hulkonen is the total package.

He will now answer any questions you have about him, his game, his teams (Piebalgas and Riga) or anything else you want to ask!

Please post questions below, I will update original post.




What do u like the most about LSHL?

I like that I have no idea what anyone is saying on the boards and I can just come on and work on my player, lol. It's pretty easy and fun to be a small fish in a big pond. I also like seeing my player on the ice and how he plays based on the changesI make for him in my updates. I just think seeing your player is cool. I've been here for a little while now and while I am still kind of lost on some things around the league people have been really helpful to me and I like that and appreciate it very much. I also like the idea of creating a big physical defenseman, which is something I have not done before.
A

Do you prefer Riga or Piebalga in next season?

I have no preference to be honest. I would be happy playing for either team. If I am needed for Riga I will be happy to play a secondary role and get going in the LSHL. If I am returned to Piebalgas I will be happy to play as a star in the league and help defend our championship.
B

Your hopes for your 1st season in the big league?

When I do eventually play in the big leagues I want to immediately be a physical force and throw a lot of hits. I also want to play good defense and make nice break out passes. I am less worried about numbers though and just want to help the team win some games. If I can finish as a plus player with a few points and a good amount of hits I'll consider it a successful rookie season.
B

Vincent Vega or Kristians Kulda?

Hmm this is a tough one. I know both players very well and both are great teammates. It looks like Vega is a little further along as a player here in LSHL, so I would have to use that as my deciding factor, but it's close. I would hate to have to choose between these two great players, but on the ice right now Vega has the egde.
B

Your favorite teammate in Riga so far?

I love all teammates the same, everyone has been very cool and helpful to me. My GM has been especially helpful and I appreciate it very much.
C

Was there any more offers for you before draft, except Riga?

Yes I was contacted by a few teams who showed interest and I would have been happy to play for any of them, but I had a feeling I would end up in Riga. I knew a few players on Riga from SHL and they knew they wanted to get me. I hope I can make the pick worth it for them.
B

How much TPE would you like to have when it will be a time for your 1st progression?

I don't know what season we hit 1st progression but maybe close to 800? I am about to hit 400 which I think is pretty good for non-Latvian speaking player in LSHL. I will keep working hard to do what I can do get as much TP as possible.
B

My player Marcellin Remi has been drafted in Piebalga too.
Can I play with you in the same D pairing?

Ah cool!    I did not know that. I would be happy to play with you in a D pairing if I go back to Pieblagas. You better be ready for 1st line minutes though!  
C

Do you think any more members from SHL will join here?

Hard to say, I think some of them will try but to honest it's pretty intimidating to join a league in a different language. I am impressed so many of the Latvians here have done well in SHL. I commend you guys on being able to speak 2nd language as well as you do. I could see maybe a few more people from SHL joining here, but not sure they will stick with it for a long time because of language barrier.
A

Do you think you could be in LSHL HOF someday?

I think maybe I have a chance, but like I said, it's hard to become great superstar in a league where you don't really understand everything that is going on, lol. I think as a physical defenseman maybe I have a chance if I can set some records with hits and win some championships. I won a championship as a rookie so I am off to a good start.
A

Is Hulkonen more like OFD of DFD?

He's kind of a hybrid. He startes as an offensive D with some physical play, but then when he realized defenseman never shoot in this league, he started to become a physical shut down Defenseman. He will continue to be a DFD going forward but has good passing kills and an excellent shot when needed.
B

Grilled cheese or just cheese? Why?

Grilled cheese for sure. Why have just plain cheese, when you can put it between 2 pieces of bread, add butter and GRILL IT! Sometimes I add bacon or even fresh tomato. Very big fan of grilled cheese. Cheese by itself is also good, but if you have the option for grilled cheese I would always choose that. More filling.
B

How long it will be till you lead us to our second cup?

I would say probably this coming season if I am up with Riga. If not then definitely the next season. I plan to win multiple cups with Riga and want to get started sooner rather than later. With Esa on the team Riga will have a great chance to win the cup and the chance will be greater each season because Esa will improve and we have have amazing team already.
B

Will you stay in Riga forever and ever?

Yes, I don't see any reason to leave. I like it there and know some of the players and everyone helps me in English plus I have 2 enlglish speaking friends on the team. No reason to leave. Only thing to maybe get me to leave one day is chance to play with Mazais and maybe Jogurtaa and Maus again. I had fun with them, but plan to stay with Riga for LONG time!
B

What do you think of Chernobyl? Was it a fun camp? Did you grew your third arm?

I would not say it was a fun camp but was interesting experience. I did not grow a 3rd arm, but some other part of my body grew very much because of all the radiation, so you could say I now have 3rd arm between my legs. I hope this answers your question. At camp they called me tri-pod.  
B

Thanks for the questions!

[1000+ Words]

What do u like the most about LSHL?

Do you prefer Riga or Piebalga in next season?

Your hopes for your 1st season in the big league?

Vincent Vega or Kristians Kulda?

Your favorite teammate in Riga so far?

Was there any more offers for you before draft, except Riga?

How much TPE would you like to have when it will be a time for your 1st progression?

My player Marcellin Remi has been drafted in Piebalga too.
Can I play with you in the same D pairing?

Do you think any more members from SHL will join here?

Do you think you could be in LSHL HOF someday?

Is Hulkonen more like OFD of DFD?

Please Grade and Payout. -thanks

Found this one only now

Grilled cheese or just cheese? Why?

How long it will be till you lead us to our second cup?

Will you stay in Riga forever and ever?

What do you think of Chernobyl? Was it a fun camp? Did you grew your third arm?

Did I ever get paid for this or get TP???

Steelhead77 rakstīja:Did I ever get paid for this or get TP???

No, you get money. TP you get on Media, on Press Conference you get money!

You will get paid for this until th weekend, I hope.

Ok thanks!

paid?

Steelhead77 rakstīja:paid?

not yet. tomorrow.

1`280`000