Colony's Finnish Flash

JEREMIAH BARTZ

Sports Editor

In the National Hockey League Finnish-born all-star Teemu Selanne is known as the Finnish Flash. But Selanne is not the only Teemu who plays hockey in the United States.

Colony High School now has its own Teemu, its own version of the Finnish Flash -- Teemu Maki.

Maki, who is on exchange from Finland for his senior year of high school as part of a youth program, has become a tremendous addition to the CHS hockey program. Maki, who admits he wasn't too crazy about coming to the United States on exchange and didn't even plan on playing hockey, has become a staple on the Knights' first line and favorite among teammates.

"He's a very welcome surprise," Colony head coach Dale Mattson said. "He comes to practice every day with a smile on his face. He's very likable -- always ready to play."

Maki could be described as a hidden jewel in the CHS hallways at the beginning of the season. When Maki first arrived at Colony, he didn't even plan on playing hockey. His hosts, the Lund family, are involved with the Knight hockey program, and Alex Lund is a junior defenseman on the Knight varsity hockey team. Maki and Lund immediately formed a bond and Lund convinced Maki to play hockey.

Maki, whose top sport is actually soccer, decided to join the Knight hockey squad despite not playing on an organized hockey team in more than two years. Maki played hockey for several years while he was younger, but decided to take a break from the sport.

When Maki first donned the Knight green and black, the Colony coaching staff did not realize they had a first line winger on their hands. But in just the first half of the season, Maki has evolved to become one of the Knights' top

players.

"Everyday he's improving," Mattson said. "He has all the fundamentals and now his skating's coming back. He's getting his moves back."

Maki is second on the squad with 19 points in 12 games this season, with seven goals and 12 assists. Undoubtedly his biggest point of the season came on his game-winning overtime goal in a 3-2 victory over Wasilla on Friday.

But most importantly for Maki, his stay in Alaska has exceeded his expectations and he is enjoying his time on the Knight hockey squad.

"Hockey is more fun that it is in Finland," Maki said. "In Finland it is more competitive, here it is more fun."