Grand Rapids Griffins goaltending coach Roope Koistinen spoke with Karpat Oulu’s website regarding his decision to leave the Finnish Liiga’s organization for North America. Here’s a rough translation of his conversation:
Roope Koistinen about his AHL contract: “It’s a dream come true”
The career of Roope Koistinen, who worked as the goaltending coach for Karpat’s Under-20 team, and as the youth team’s goalie coaching manager, took a big step this summer. At the beginning of this month, Koistinen, who worked as the goaltending coach for Karpat, signed a contract with the Grand Rapids Griffins, the AHL team of the NHL team Detroit Red Wings.
“Things happened quickly. Through the NHL’s drafting of young goalies, many networks have been formed over the years, and I’ve tried to actively create those networks myself as well. It’s been my goal and dream to one day be able to coach in North America. I didn’t think it would happen in such a short span of time. Discussions took place briefly during June. After that came an invitation to an official interview, and shortly after that they wanted to offer me a contract. After all, it was a dream come true.”
He started his career in ice hockey with Kiiming Keikko-Poji, first as a player and then as a goaltending coach. His first experiences in coaching duties come from hockey camps for KKP juniors, where Koistinen worked as a goaltending instructor. At the age of 17, while he was still playing, he coached goaltenders a couple of years younger than himself.
“With KKP, I could do lots of all kinds of things; I could coach many teams and run the team’s goaltending operations. At the same time, I also studied as a sport counselor in Vierumaki. For four years, I worked at KKP as a goaltending coach, and after that, I moved to Karpat.
In the spring of 2014, Mira Kuisima, who was in charge of goaltending coaching with Karpat, contacted Roope and asked whether he would like to become the goaltending coach for the Under-16 team. By the fall of that year, Roope had finished his studies in Vierumaki, and he earned a job in the office of Karpat 46’s organization in Oulu.
During his prime years there, the goaltending coach established a record of acting as a mentor to several young players, and he was involved in many success stories.
“The most memorable moments have been when I’ve seen the development of those I’ve coached, and how they’ve progressed in their own careers. Also, all of the championship teams that I’ve been a part of have become highlights from this period of time. I got to work with great people in a great community.”
Justus Annunen, Joel Blomqvist and Leevin Merilainen have attempted to bring Roope’s teaching to the Liiga team, and thus, to the rest of the world. In addition to the young Karpat players, experience in goaltending coaching has been gained from the Liiga team’s side, and during his journey with national teams.
North America is a familiar place for Roope as a continent, especially from national team tournaments. During the current summer, he’s had the time to visit the Development amp organized by Detroit. Thus far, the coach describes his new workplace as an extremely professional organization. His new colleagues have been very friendly, and have helped Roope in the middle of his changes.
Although moving to another continent will be a big change in Roope’s life in many ways, his job description will remain largely the same as it is now.
“I will strive to develop goaltenders toward the next level, and, of course, to succeed there. It doesn’t change, and that feels good. Of course, the levels of requirements are tougher there, and the environment in general is very different. We play a lot of games, and it’s something new to me. But surely we’re going to do things together in the same ways as we do here.”
Ahead is a 72-game regular season, plus possible playoff games. The Grand Rapids Griffins’ season starts in a meaningful way for Roope, when the team meets Justus Annus’ Colorado Eagles for their first four games.
With his eye toward the future, Roope is happy that he’s been able to develop the goaltenders’ and juniors’ sides of the teams both in Karpat and KKP without bias. At the same time, he’s been able to develop himself as a goaltending coach.
“You’re never necessarily ready, but I can prepare myself for those things. While working with Karpat, I’ve always received necessary support. Whether it was Benny (Ari Hilli), Ry’s executive director OY’s sports director, help was always available when I needed it. It’s been a big deal. I’ve been able to help accomplish and experience lots of different things and see different environments.”
His move to North America and his new work patterns will take place at the end of August and beginning of September. What is Roope thinking at the moment?
“The most important thing is probably a wistful feeling that I won’t be returning to Raksila to do work in August. It’s slowly stating to dawn on me. Thanks to Karpat for letting me negotiate a new contract. As for my actual move, there are still a lot of practical things that I need to take care of in order to get to the country and find an apartment, as well as everything I need to live there. I’m excited that I’ll get to experience a lot of new things other than just the field of hockey!”
