1-On-1: with Aku Raty

Roadrunners Forward Aku Raty joined Adrian Denny and Jonathon Schaffer on this week’s Insider Podcast. For the complete conversation and to see how Adrian contacted Raty for the interview, download this week’s show below. 

Listen to “Adding Raty To The Mix” on Spreaker.

With Your Brother Aatu coming to the AHL a year before you, was there any advice that he had for you coming to North America?

Yeah a little bit; we talked a lot about what he experienced and what I should know before I get there. It’s funny because he’s younger, so I’m the one usually advising him, but this time it was the other way around.

How was it for you two to play that first game against each other back in December with also taking the opening faceoff?

It was great; our parents were watching too. We went to dinner the day before and my girlfriend was there as well. It was just a fun experience; it was great that they put us both on the first lines. I’m pretty sure I lost the faceoff, but I don’t think he was playing the puck; he went straight to hitting me. We probably were a little bit chirpy there too during the game, but overall, it was great.

Roadrunners Rapid Fire Questions: Aku described the below in one word or one sentence:

You and your brother have had the same journey playing pro hockey in Finland then coming to the U.S. How has it all been for the entire family?

We’ve all been putting in a lot of work in this sport to get where we are with all the support. We’ve made it pretty far and we’re not done yet; there’s still a lot of work to be done. I think I’m lucky to have a brother like him to train with and push one another. We’ve trained together every day with competing and trying to get better. It makes training so much more fun playing on the same line back home with the chemistry we have.

Tell us about the first game you played with the Roadrunners last year, you assisted on Milos Kelemen’s game-winning goal in the third period and we won the game. What do you remember about that game and the pass?

I remember I started that game pretty bad; I guess I was a little nervous. You don’t know what to expect when you start in a new league like the AHL; it felt so good to get the point. It was the first game of the year for everyone and you want to get a good start to the season, so it was perfect.

The first 10 games of the season you looked good but after that, things got rolling for you. Did you feel that and what do you think it was after the 10 games that really go you clicking?

I think it was just getting used to the league. I built a good connection with Milos and obviously with other guys too. I got a bigger role with the team too; playing on the power-play and coaches began to trust me more. Like I said, hockey is such a team sport; you have to play well with your teammates and I think I did a pretty good job with that. I’m not a player who’s going to go coast-to-coast, so I rely on my teammates a lot. Once we got the chemistry rolling, the points kept coming.

Tell us about the NHL debut, it’s near the end of the regular season we’re in playoff mode and you get rewarded with the callup.

That was almost like a cherry on top for me just to get rewarded like that. I was playing well and I knew it could happen, but I wanted to focus on playing in Tucson to get better. One day (General Manager) John Ferguson called me and said I was going to get a game in the NHL, so it was huge. I was able to get a couple of practices in before the game, but I was still a little nervous. I played pretty well in that game, so it was such a great feeling to get the first one in.

What were you doing when John Ferguson called and what did you think when his name popped up on your phone?

It was one of those moments where I kind of knew it was happening; when I saw his name I was like, “YES!” It was after practice and I had just finished eating and leaving the rink for a road trip when he called. I told the guys I am not coming on the trip anymore and they were really happy for me.

We have another Finnish player, Miko Matikka, coming in this year to the organization, how much talent do you think he can bring to the team?

I know a little bit about his game, but I haven’t seen him play a lot. Obviously when he went to college, he couldn’t play pro yet, but I watched some of his junior games. The stuff I have seen at practice though is that he has a good size with great skill, so I am excited to see what he is going to do this season.

For you yourself, what are you most excited for entering year two as you continue to grow as a player.

I’m really excited to be back; I’m feeling really good right now and it’s probably the best that I’ve felt ever with all the training that I’ve done. I’m just excited how training camp and the games are going to go. You can’t beat the feeling when you’re playing the game, so I’m kind of missing it now that I’ve been home in Finland for a few months.