PART 4 : MANITOBA ’ S HOCKEY FAMILIES
before being dealt to the Waywayseecappo Wolverines at the trade deadline .
“ I enjoyed my time at Wayway ,” he recalled . “ I lived with three other players in our billet , Jean ’ s place . It was a tiny little house and it was nice living with teammates including Tanner Posh , Drake Bodie , and Craig Fournier . I still keep in touch with them .”
After a year with Wayway , Kristjon landed
with the Winnipeg Blues and was paired up with another 20-year-old defensemen , Michael Forseth , from Bemidji , Minn . Kristjon likes playing close to home .
“ I ’ m really focused this year on my defensive play and I want to work hard and try to make the jump to a college team next year ,” he said . “ Hopefully a Division 1 team in the NCAA .”
Kristjon believes two of his former coaches have made positive impacts on his hockey life . Interlake ’ s Jim Stevenson , whom Kristjon says gave him confidence as a player and Barry Butler , the head coach and GM in Waywayseecappo .
“ Jim was all about giving players a chance ,” Kristjon explained . “ We could make mistakes , but he expected us to take ownership and learn from our mistakes . Barry was just a good guy to turn to with hockey or nonhockey problems or issues . I learned a lot from both of them .”
For Kristjon ’ s younger brother Nick , 14 , the serious part of his hockey career is about to begin . He ’ s excited about the upcoming WHL draft and the prospect of being selected like his dad and brother . Nick considers himself a more physical player then his older brother and is always looking to take the body .
“ I think my strengths are hitting and passing , but if I see a lane open I don ’ t hesitate to rush the puck , either ,” he said . “ I like rushing the puck , but my team always comes first . I try to read the play before it happens , but I work hard not to get out of position .”
It ’ s been a tough season for Nick and the Lightning , but the team captain is not deterred .
“ Not all of our players have the same skill set but that ’ s OK ,” he said . “ The thing is , we ’ re a tight knit group and we all get along and stick up for each other . This is a fun team to be on and we ’ ll work hard to do better in the New Year . We work hard together in order to balance things out . The stronger players supporting those that don ’ t have as much skill . The team always comes first .”
When asked what advice he ’ s received from his dad and his brother , Nick is quick to respond : “ Keep my head up and play my game ,” he said . “ Look to make a play when it ’ s there and look for opportunities . Don ’ t be scared , just play .”
Nick has worked hard at NRG and believes that if he keeps working , he could have a long hockey career . Kristjon has seen how hard his younger brother works and is quite pleased . Obviously , the advice handed down to the youngest Finnson is paying off .
Nick singled out his spring hockey coach , Shawn Nelson , as someone who has made a difference in his hockey life . As well , his current coach Chad Balmer is also a role model who no matter what , keeps pushing his team in a constructive way .
“ Shawn always expected the best from me and he always pushed me to do better .” Nick said . “ I trusted him and he ’ s made me a way better player . I ’ ve only had Chad as a coach for half-a-year but he ’ s great and keeps us in line and concentrates on the positives even though we aren ’ t winning .”
Kristjon plans to start taking some university courses in 2017 to prepare himself for a full year of university in 2017-2018 . Nick is currently in Grade 9 and says his grades are in the 80s and while he ’ s most interested in business , he also likes his metal-shops class . Like most Interlake lads , the boys like snowmobiling and enjoying the outdoors .
Interestingly , both young players are superstitious . They put the left side of their equipment on first and they always eat pasta as a pre-game meal , in order to “ carb up .”
Although neither brother has been in an “ official ” hockey fight , both have had their share of scuffles . Both argue that fighting is an integral part of the game and a minor penalty sometimes isn ’ t enough of a deterrent .
“ If a guy takes a dirty shot at one of your players , he has to be dealt with ,” explained Nick , while Kristjon added , “ Fighting is needed to remind players that taking liberties against the better players on the ice is the game ’ s way of dealing with those who frequently break the rules .”
When you spend time talking with the Finnsons – from Afi to Larry and from Kristjon to Nick – you realize how much the entire family loves the game .
In the Finnson household , hockey has been passed from generation-to-generation and there is no reason to believe that ’ s ever going to stop . n
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