TEN QUESTIONS… MIIKA WIIKMAN

No matter what any team puts out on the ice, they’re only as good as the person protecting the 24 square feet beneath the red steel of the net. For the last several years, the Hartford Wolf Pack have been fortunate to have some truly outstanding netminders in the crease; from Jason LaBarbara and Stephen Valiquette to Al Montoya and now Matt Zaba and Miika Wiikman.

Earlier this summer we caught up with Matt Zaba as he prepared himself for the coming 2009 – 2010 season. His partner in the Pack Net Protection Group is Miika Wiikman. Howlings caught up with the Marietta, Sweden native for a lightning round of Ten Questions…

HOWLINGS: You came in here and your solid play made Al Montoya expendable. Last season you had a little dip and Matt Zaba came on real strong. Do you look back at the tapes to study the difference between your games over those two seasons or do you think you know what they were? Do you feel comfortable sharing what you saw…?

MIKKA WIIKMAN: I do watch game tapes and it's been really helpful. The weird thing is that in my own opinion I looked sharper last season than the season before. I just think mentally it went in the wrong direction last season. But that's easy to fix. I’m sure I’ll be a better goalie this year than ever before!

H: What have you been doing this summer that you think those observing you will notice most?

MW: I've practiced a little bit differently this summer than the two previous summers and I hope it's going to help me get on the ice more. I think I spent a little too much time in the gym instead of focusing on what would improve me as a goalie and I think everyone will notice that on the ice. Back to the previous question, I've also improved mentally and a slight change of attitude will also show that I've done things differently.

H: Have you followed the comings and goings of the players on the roster this off season?

MW: Of course I do but I tend to forget about what's been going on with the roster over the summer. (Laughs)

H: How did you feel about seeing last season's captain, Greg Moore depart?

MW: Greg is good player and a good guy outside the ice but I feel that there are guys in Hartford that can step up and take a leader-role both on and off the ice. A couple of guys has been there for a few years and are a lot more experienced today.

H: Who are some of the guys that you've worked out with over the summer?

MW: Most of the time I worked out by myself. For some reason there's a lot of younger goalies in the area where I live who look up to me and sometimes I bring them with me to show them some new things. On the ice I'm getting advice and help from my former goalie coach in Finland.

H: Have you had any conversations with the coaching staff? If so who and have they shared anything with you that you feel comfortable sharing?

MW: I've talked to Jeremy, the trainer in Hartford on how I should practice and I've kept him updated on what’s been going on during the summer. I've also received some email and mail from the coaching staff in New York about some basic stuff.

H: How do you think John Tortorella's training camp will differ from the one you attended with Tom Renney?

MW: From what I've heard John is a coach that demands a lot from the players, I'm sure every coach demands a lot of effort from the players, but I think John will let you know if you're not doing your job well enough. I also think he wants the Rangers to be the most hardworking team in the league. For me as a goalie I'm not going to do any different except stopping more pucks.

H: What goals have you set for yourself for the coming season?

MW: No goals, just saves (Chuckles)

H: How would you describe your relationship with Matt Zaba especially when you're both competing for the game job?

MW: Matt and I have never had any problems with each other. We have a healthy competition and I think we're pushing each other to the limit all season long. It’s also good for the team to know they have two great goalies they can rely on. Everyone has their dips during the season and it's good to know that the other one can step in a play well.

H: How is the wedding planning coming along?

W: Very good, just some minor things left to fix but the main things are done. I just have to answer 'yes' or 'no'. (Laughs)

Zaba and Wiikman have both got to push themselves like never before. There is always someone on the horizon working hard to get themselves into the show. The Wolf Pack are no different as the organization signed two more netminders with AHL and even possibly greatly ambitions, Ryan Munce and Chad Johnson. These two, while probably slated for Charlotte will push Zaba and Wiikman for their AHL jobs. Meanwhile, both Wiikman and Zaba will push Valiquette for a seat next to Henrik Lundqvist in the show.

No matter how you slice it, the 2009-2010 campaign for the Wolf Pack is going to be a ferocious one.

(Photo courtesy of Heather Rusch)