On an early spring evening after an overtime win, rookie goaltender and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins AHL All-Star Joel Blomqvist sat down with The Calder Times to discuss Finnish hockey, his first professional shut-out, and his off-season training. Blomqvist, or “Blomma”, as he is known around the rink, is in his rookie season.
Adjusting From Finland To North America
Before coming to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton this season, he played for Kärpät in the Finnish Liiga for 21 games in the 2022-2023 season, posting a 2.29 Goals Against Average and a .907 Save Percentage. In the 2021-2022 season, Blomqvist played for Kärpät U20 in one game and Kärpät’s main squad for 20 regular season games. There, he posted a 1.32 GAA and a .940 Save Percentage. He also appeared in seven playoff games with a 1.10 GAA and .950 Save Percentage, going 3-3-0.
If you are a hockey fan from around the world, you know there are many differences: from the play to the ice, even to the culture of hockey. Having played most of his life in Finland, Blomqvist touched on what the biggest differences are between Finnish ice and North American ice:
“I think the biggest difference is the size of the rink. It’s bigger back home. Here with the smaller rink, I think everything happens a little bit faster. I think they try more to attack than defend, So maybe a little bit more happens here in the game than back home.”
Blomqvist on the difference between European and North American ice
Hey Now, You’re An All-Star
On January 10, 2024, Blomqvist’s 22nd birthday, he was notified that he had been nominated to go to the 2024 AHL All-Star Competition held in San Jose, CA. He spoke on what it was like being nominated for the team to head to the West Coast. During round-robin play, Blomqvist and the Atlantic Division went 2-1. The host Pacific Division won in the last round, 3-2, against the Atlantic Division. Across four games, Blomqvist was credited with two assists.
“It was a great honor. It’s a sign that you have done something right. Obviously, as a goalie, you can’t play good without a good team in front of you. So it’s been fun to play here.”
Blomqvist on his AHL All Star nomination
Tough Shot
For goalies, as hockey fans know, their main job is simple: stop the puck.
With the competition that is out there in the AHL and beyond these days, the level of play is high and tough. For Blomqvist, he states what shot is hardest for him to stop:
“Backhanded can get tough to read. It’s different from a normal release.”
Blomqvist on the hardest shot to face
There are four basic different types of shots: Slapshot, Wrist Shot, Snap Shot, and Backhand.
Slapshots are typically known for power and speed. When used during power plays, they’re harder for netminders to stop. Wrist shots offer greater control and are most commonly used by elite goal scorers because of the emphasis those players put on puck placement. Snap shots are quick-release movements: perfect for quick and accurate shots under pressure or in tight spaces. However, backhand shots are the most deceptive out of the four shots due to the unpredictable nature of them. Oftentimes, goaltenders can not figure out where the puck will be sent and can not see it coming, making it harder to save. So, it’s natural that Blomqvist considers them the trickiest shot to face.
Watchful Eye
Most players, whether they’re just starting out or have been playing for a long time, have an idol or a player that they tend to model their game after. Someone who they wanted to be when they grew up, for example. Long-time NHL players are under the watchful eyes of those coming up through the ranks. However, for Blomqvist, there is no goalie in particular:
“not that much anymore. I just like to watch All the goalies in the NHL. When I was younger I Always followed Pekka Rinne, who is from Finland and played on the same team.”
Blomqvist on his favorite goalie growing up
Shut The Door
Every goaltender wants the magic S word every single game. It took most of the season, but Blomqvist posted his first professional career shutout on March 13th, 2024, against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. He stopped all 23 shots on goal and ended with a score of 3-0. As all goalies are, Blomqvist is as modest as they come when he speaks about the shutout.
It was nice, It took some time to get it, but For me, the most important thing is to get the win.
Blomqvist on his first AHL shutout
From Strength To Strength
Every goaltender has their strengths in net. Consistency, positional awareness, handling technique, and being focused and alert are all major skills for goaltenders to work at. Having those four skills and being strong at them separates elite goaltenders from average ones in any league. Blomqvist touches on what he feels his strengths are between the pipes for the Penguins.
“Movement and skill. I think I’m pretty fast and see the game pretty well.”
Blomqvist on his strengths
Summer Training
Every player has off-season training regimens to keep them in shape and work on their strengths and weaknesses. Summer is not a time for any player, especially netminders, to become complacent in what they do. This is all done in order to prepare for the upcoming season. It’s especially tough for goaltenders to stay on it during the summer. To practice, they need their goalie coach and someone willing to shoot pucks at them for those long summer months.
Blomqvist touches on what he does during the off season to be the best he can be in net.
“Last summer was my first summer when I had to train on my own. Usually back home, we practice for the summer with the team we play for. So last summer, I had to find guys to practice with and set up as best as possible.”
Blomqvist on his offseason training regime
Blomqvist is young but is looking to be a force between the pipes. In the 2023-2024 season thus far, he has appeared in 40 games, posting a 2.15 GAA and .919 Save Percentage, good for sixth in the whole league and third among rookies.
Blomqvist is able to screen well and follows the play well instead of playing catch up with it, something young goalies often fall into the trap of doing. He is a smart and confident goaltender who will be hard to compete against for seasons to come. He could very easily be the biggest difference-maker for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in the postseason.
