"I have liked it here since day one"
Jag mötte Lassi: Peter Kempe fick en intervju med MoDos målvakt Lassi Lehtinen
When did you start skating?
I had my first touch on the ice was when I was 2,5 years old.
At what age did you decide to play goalkeeper, and why?
Around 12 I started to be a goalie. I think the biggest reason why is of course because of my dad. He was a goalie, and then I felt I was good at it and my friends told me I should be a goalie.
You have played in Liiga some years, in what way has that developed you?
And in 2020-21 you were the best goalkeeper and won the Championship, how was your experience of that year?
Those years made me ready for pro hockey. I got very much experience from those years. I improved year by year and got to play in really good teams and with really good players.
I also got to win the championship in my hometown and brought back the trophy there after 58 years. That was a dream I had dreamt of since I was a kid. We had a really good team that year.
After the last season, did you have many offers coming in?
I had offers from Finland yes, but not from outside Finland.
What made you choose to leave Finland? And what stood out and made you pick MoDo?
I wanted to play abroad after 5 years in Liiga and got the offer from MoDo. I was interested in SHL and MoDo seemed like a good place for me.
How has it been to adapt to the Swedish Elite League? Is the playing style different from in Liiga?
It is just a couple inches better league overall. Teams play with a little more pressure, but i don't think there is too much difference.
How do you enjoy life in Sweden and Örnsköldsvik?
I like life in Örnsköldsvik. It is pretty similar to my hometown, a small town on a coast.
How is it working with Olle Eriksson Ek and Michal Zajkowski?
It has been nice to work with them, they are both great guys and we work well together.
In what ways are you and Olle similar? And what is the biggest difference?
I think we are same type of guys outside of the ice. The biggest difference is that Olle is a big guy.
What is your greatest quality on the ice, and what do you want to get better at?
My biggest strenght is my movement and hockey iq. I don't have any bigger weaknesses, so I want to get better at overall everything.
How has your first months felt for you on the ice and off?
It's obviously a new place for me, with a lot of new staff. It has been lots of learning and adapting for the new place, but i have been liking it here since day one and I'm starting to feel cozy both off and on the ice.
Are you open to staying another year in MoDo?
Yes, I'm open to staying in MoDo.
Where do you see your hockey career in the near future and in the further future?
I haven't been thinking so much about the future. I'm just enjoying life where I am right now.
What do you do on the days you're not playing hockey?
Mostly golfing and going fika.
Thank you so much for doing this interview!
Thank you
