I have an Olli story too. When he was starting his second (or maybe third) season with the Panthers, I went to a fan event at the arena, lined up to get an autograph from Olli and exchange a couple of words. I also spoke to him in Finnish so he perked up… and then I said “so when are you gonna play better?” And I used the Finnish singular you (sinä) and not the plural (te), so not meaning the team but him. He looked at me, no smile, but a bit of a squinty eyes, like just wait you ahole.Back in the 90's. You could actually email anyone from Panthers front office. The emails were on the website. I emailed Steve Dangerfield (team president?) back in 2001 about me visiting Florida and if I could get into the locker room after the game. He actually responded the next day and say Yes, that I need to goto info after the game and show me identification. They actually pulled threw and took me down there. I got to meet Jokinen and talked finnish to him he was kinda in shock somebody talking finnish.
I actually emailed GM Bryan Murray about a UFA named Brian Rafalski to sign him in like 98 or 99 .... I was a kid back thenHe didnt respond then NJ signed him within a year
That season he went on a tear. I take credit. We HFers get it done.
