Dan Sallows

Over the years, Finland has produced some great pure goal scorers, from Jari Kurri to Teemu Selanne. Next on that list may just be 6′3″, 185-pound Joel Armia, who has the same knack for scoring a profuse amount of goals while coming down the right wing. The 17-year-old was one of the only bright spots for a Finnish squad that went 1-4 at this years World Under-17’s, scoring 8 points (5G,3A) in 5 games. This season, the young phenom scored 21 points (15G,6A) in 27 games playing with his Ässät U20 Jr.A club. And, racked up another 12 points (5G,7A) in 6 games with his Jr. B SM-sarja team. While Armia has a shoot first mentality that most scouts love, he is a very dynamic player that has good speed, a very accurate, hard shot, great size, and acute hockey sense that enables him to be in the right place at the right time. Like many great goal scorers, Armia puts the puck on net in the prime scoring areas, and shoots it with a purpose. While he is not eligible for the NHL Entry Draft until 2011, scouts have the Finnish sniper on their radars, as his natural scoring ability is a highly sought after commodity in a league that only boasts two or three 50-goal guys a season. If Finland hopes to medal in the 2010 Ivan Hlinka Tournament, they will need the big winger to score like he is capable of. I had a chance to catch up the budding young superstar, for a quick Q and A.

Who has been your biggest influence, and biggest help in developing your game so far?

Joel: I think my mom and dad have been the biggest influence so far, they’ve helped me so much in hockey, and in life.

You have such good size, and a great skill set, what do you believe your strengths as a hockey player are, and is there anything you want to improve moving forward?

Joel: I think I do many things well, but would like to improve my skating.

Is there a player in the NHL you mold your game after?

Joel: I like to style my game a little after Alexander Semin of the Washington Capitals.

You had an outstanding World Under-17 Hockey Championships personally, but team Finland finished a disappointing 9th. Was that tournament bitter sweet for you, and why do you feel the club ended up under achieving?

Joel: I was happy to have a good tournament for sure, but it doesn’t matter unless the team wins. I don’t know why we did so poorly, it is hard to say.

What is the highlight of your young career thus far?

Joel: Being selected to the All-Star Team at the World Under-17’s.

You will be representing your country once again at the 2010 Ivan Hlinka Tournament, after Finland won bronze at the IIHF World U18’s in April, how important is it for you guys as a team to have a good showing?

Joel: It is really important, and we need to get off to a good start in the tournament in order to put ourselves in position to bring home a medal.

With 2011 being your NHL draft year, do you feel any added pressure to perform heading into the season?

Joel: No pressure. I just will go out and play my game, and if I do that, everything else will fall into place.

If you could pick the NHL team that selects you, who would it be?

Joel: It would be a great thing to just be drafted, but if I could pick, I would have to say the Calgary Flames.

You have scored a ton of goals throughout your young career so far, is there one that stands out as your biggest?

Joel: No, I couldn’t pick just one, every goal has it’s own importance.

What do you like to do in your downtime from hockey?

Joel: Just relax with friends.

What is the first thing you will buy, when you sign your first pro contract?

Joel: A big car.

What is your favourite pre-game meal?

Joel: Pasta

Favourite pump up song?

Joel: I like a lot of rap songs.

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