GILINGHAM, UK – Invicta Dynamos of the English National League have always been regarded as one of the ‘big spenders’ in the ENL by the standard of players they bring in and their seeming domination of the league. This summer was no different as the club has brought in US college hockey star Peter Vaisanen.
Vaisanen was a star for the State University of New York for the past two seasons and as his academic studies in North America are over he wanted to try his hand at playing hockey in Europe.
“ I have never been to the U.K and my agent David Imonti and one of his connections Greg Blais, who use to play over in the EPL, talked highly of Kevin Parrish and said that Invicta would be a great fit for myself coming out of college,” said Vaisanen.
“Once I knew Invicta were interested in me, it didn’t take long for me to sign for them. I am very excited to be joining Invicta and I feel that Parrish has done a great job of signing some big names that will help our team out this year. I feel that when surrounded by good players everyone on the team will bring an “extra level” to our side and fingers crossed for a successful season,” said Vaisanen on his first foray out of North America.
Many players see the UK as a sort of ‘hybrid’ of styles with the hard-hitting, rougher game of North America mixed in with the finesse and skilful hockey most European fans are used to witnessing.
Vaisanen doesn’t believe that his style of play will need to change too much to fit in at the Kent side.
“I have done some research online of the leagues and starting my professional career in the ENL I feel will be of great benefit to me and the team I am joining,” added Vaisanen.
“ I love how there are opportunities for players to move up to play in EPL and the Elite league and develop into better hockey players. The leagues over in the UK are great and are only benefiting the game of hockey. I am hoping it will be easy fitting in and being a success in the ENL. I am sure I’ll do fine; I just need to adjust to the different rules and finding that chemistry between me and my line-mates. I am versatile forward that will finish every check with a soft touch around the net”.
Vaisanen comes with a good background from his time in college hockey where he was not only assistant captain for SUNY-Potsdam Bears, he was also awarded the title of ‘Hardest working player’ when he was at Neumann college.
This no doubt was spotted by Parrish who has a knack for finding the hard hitters for his teams.
Naturally all players want to be appreciated by their own team’s fans and the 24-year old Canadian is no different.
“I can promise Invicta fans one thing that I will give 110% on and off the ice and I hope that my efforts will do great things. I hope my style of play will help out Invicta so that we can bring another championship back to the fans. I just want to say that I am really excited about hitting the ice for the first time with my new team and can’t wait for our season to start,” said Vaisanen.
Alongside Vaisanen is Johan Stenvall and the pair make up the non-EIHA trained pairing for the Dynamos in what appears to be their toughest season yet with the likes of Cardiff Devils, Chelmsford Chieftains, Wightlink Raiders and Bracknell Hornets ready to pounce on any slip ups that come the Dynamos’ way.
Contact pete.lewis@prohockeynews.com
You must be logged in to post a comment.