Thursday, January 10, 2002
Ruutu helps out friend
By IAN WALKER -- For SLAM! Sports
VANCOUVER -- Vancouver Canucks hardnosed winger Jarkko Ruutu might be known in his native Finland as the country's dirtiest player, but he just might have the biggest heart.
While a hell-bent-for-leather style of play doesn't win him any friends on the ice, his generosity of it has earned him a new renewed respect from a former adversary.
Ruutu has it made it possible for former Finnish Elite League player Simo Rouvali to attend the 2002 Winter Olympics by donating him the extra airfare and accommodations provided to all National Hockey League Olympians by their Player's Association.
Rouvali's four-year professional career ended tragically during the summer of 1999 in a diving accident while attending a annual summer festival in his hometown of Turku. The incident left the now 26-year-old Rouvali a paraplegic and without much use of his right hand.
"This is amazing, this is fantastic," said Rouvali, who played all four years with TPS Turku, winning two championships. "It's unbelievable for Ruutu to do something like this."
More amazing is the fact that Ruutu doesn't know his countrymate other than to meet him along the boards. The two would have played against each other in tournaments as teens and again from 1997-99 when Ruutu played for rival IFK Helsinki.
The Canucks winger knew of Rouvali's condition as it was big news in Finland, where two charity games were organized to raise funds to help him cope with the extra care he would need.
Ruutu didn't want to discuss the gesture, saying he's not doing it for the publicity. He indicated he came to his decision because neither his parents nor brothers could attend the Games, slated for Feb. 8-24. Ruutu's father is in the midst of a project at work and his brothers Tuomo and Mikko both have commitments with their Finnish Elite club, Jokerit.
It wasn't as easy as it would first seem, however. Once he made up his mind, Ruutu checked into the logistics of Rouvali attending the Olympics and learned he would need to be accompanied by someone. While the NHLPA provided accommodations and two tickets to each of Finland's games, only one airfare was covered.
Although a cause for consternation at first, it didn't take long before the Finnish Player's Association offered to offset the cost a flight so Rouvali's girlfriend, Piritta Aijo, could also make the trip.
"We really didn't have to think about it a lot," president of the Finnish Player's Association said. "It's reasonable for us to do a thing like this since Jarkko was the one who took the initiative.
"For me, it's very natural as Simo was an association member."
Rouvali recorded 30 goals and 70 points in 207 regular season games and two goals and six points in 35 career playoff games with TPS.
Ironically, Rouvali's style of play can be compared with that of Ruutu: A gritty, checking forward who always thought team first. Former teammates best remember him for his jovial attitude.
Rouvali said he knew something was up when he first got a call about 10 days ago inquiring into his ability to travel. Never did he expect it to be Ruutu.
"I was sure it was one of the guys who used to play for TPS," he said.
2002 Games Men's Hockey Coverage
