From: Ryan Stanzel
Director of Communications
Wednesday, September 29, 2004
713.361.7930 (Direct Line)

KOIVU'S POISE IMPRESSING

Aeros gearing it up as exhibition slate grows closer

KOIVU HAS ARRIVED!

SUGAR LAND, Texas - He has been on the ice for two days, and arguably the Wild’s No. 1 prospect Mikko Koivu is ready. Koivu helped lead Finland to a second-place finish at the recently completed World Cup of Hockey, but now he’s looking forward to his highly-anticipated North American pro debut. Koivu is the lone top 10 pick from the 2001 NHL Draft class who hasn’t yet made his NHL debut.

"I feel pretty good here already," said Koivu. "There are a lot of young guys. Things are shaping up a lot faster than I thought. I can’t wait for the season."

Koivu, 21, is one of 22 of the team’s 42 players who are 22 years old or younger. He said not only was the World Cup a valuable experience for him, but it helped him get ready for the Aeros’ grueling three-week camp, which this week includes two-a-day workouts on ice.

"Of course it helps," said Koivu. "The games over there are with the best players. It was a great experience for me, and we did well as a team. It was a great thing for Finnish hockey. There were a lot of NHL guys. There are also good players here. It was good for me."

"I think he’s very talented," said Aeros head coach Todd McLellan. "What jumps out at me are his maturity and poise in the locker room and on the ice. He’s very professional. To us, it’s obvious that he’s been around high-end players, because he carries himself properly. He’s handled himself very well that way."

"On the ice, he’s very capable of picking up the drills and is doing a very good job at this point."

GETTING A READ

With just two days left until the Aeros open up exhibition play Friday in San Antonio, the team is ready to turn it up a notch on the ice.

"They’ve been feel-good type practices so far," said McLellan. "The players are getting their legs underneath them. We’ve been talking about some principles. After another scrimmage or two, we’ll have a better indication of who’s doing what well and who needs some work."

VEILLEUX READY TO PLAY

One of the bright spots in the first week has been left winger Stephane Veilleux, who signed with the Aeros last Friday. He’s showing no sign of wear and tear from a two-day drive that saw him arrive late Sunday evening.

"Steph looks like he’s in tremendous condition and is very excited about being here," said McLellan. "I get a sense he really wants to work on his game and make sure he’s improving day in, day out. He’s played like we’ve expected him to play to this point."

A HAIR-Y ISSUE

One of the main topics in the locker room this week has been hair. A variety of styles can be seen around the room, from wild blonde afro (Mike Smith) to nearly bald (Derek Boogaard) to Mohawk (Erik Reitz).


---HOUSTON AEROS, BE A FAN---