Best friends dream of sharing the title

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It’s almost like a hockey fairytale. It is no coincidence that the careers of Linus Omark and Teemu Hartikainen crossed paths for the third time in Geneva. But because the star attackers like to play together. They know each other very well on and off the ice – and understand each other blindly.

The first chapter of this male friendship was written 13 years ago in North America. The Edmonton Oilers drafted the two talents: Omark in 2007 in the fourth round, Hartikainen a year later in the sixth round. Both started their NHL adventures in 2010, which started wrestling on the farm team in the AHL.

Hartikainen recalls, “We were in Oklahoma looking for an apartment on a sunny day. We were looking for apartments in the same block and then we came up with the idea of ​​moving into an apartment together. It was perfect.” The young players – Hartikainen had just turned 20, Omark 23 – spent their free time together. They learned English better, played video games. And who was in the kitchen? “Normally we go out for dinner,” says Omark with a smile, “but today we both like to cook.”

The Swede says that they have gotten to know and understand each other better. “The chemistry was right next to the ice.” And soon the Swede and the Finn also found each other on the ice. Both in the AHL with the City Barons and in the NHL with the Edmonton Oilers, they were in the same line. The genius and harmony of the duo grew. However, they could not assert themselves in the NHL.

Hartikainen was drawn to Salawat Yulayev Ufa from North America in 2013. Two years later, when he convinced his friend to also sign with Ufa, Omark had a season with EVZ (as top scorer) and another attempt to get into the NHL. , behind. From 2015, the joint hockey trajectory in the KHL continued and lasted five seasons. Together they reached the conference finals three times.

“We made ourselves better players”

Hartikainen describes why the two northerners and internationals get along so well: “We have the same sense of humor and think about life in the same way. We are relaxed people and ambitious players at the same time. That’s a good mix. We’ve made ourselves better players.” They show it side by side, game after game. It’s the 32-year-old’s job to get into positions that only he and Omark would know the Swedish playmaker would fit. the bone states, “When I’m not playing with Teemu, I’m playing very differently.”

For Servette, however, they work magically along the same lines. Because Omark lured his best friend, who was adored by many Dutch clubs, to Geneva last summer. “We are getting older and finally want to win a title together,” said the 36-year-old, “that’s why I told the club to sign Teemu.” The world champion and Olympic champion is the transfer coup.

Hartikainen played for Ufa until last season. The day after the outbreak of Vladimir Putin’s offensive war against Ukraine, he left Russia and terminated his contract with Ufa. Concerns about security and the moral aspect drove him to it. The Finn has now conquered that he ended his nine-year career in the KHL in this way. Because in Geneva he found his new (hockey) happiness.

Hartikainen’s luck in Geneva is perfect

Hartikainen and Omark are now fathers of two children. The Finn and his wife Anniina have son Veeti (6) and daughter Viivi (18 months). The Swede is playing with his daughters Stella (6) and Helma (4), whom he has with his wife Linnea, on the playground when he addresses SonntagsBlick. The two families meet regularly and do things together. “We used to do that before we had kids,” says Omark, “there were four of us in Paris or Barcelona.”

The fact that he can really enjoy family life again in Geneva gives Hartikainen energy. “It was difficult in Russia,” says Hartikainen, “but I’m super happy here. I can enjoy everything I love. Hockey, family, fishing.” Now only the shared title happy ending is missing in the friends’ hockey fairy tale.

Source : Blick