Getting to know your Maulers
Player #18 Niko Pukkila

Get to know your Maulers

Player #18: Niko Pukkila

(Credit to Missoula Maulers)

Welcome back to another Meet your Maulers! In this blog you will get to meet veteran defenseman #2 Niko Pukkila! Niko is 6 ft 0 in, 205 lbs, is from Post Falls, Idaho, USA, and is a '94. He played for the Maulers in the 2012-2013 season while Missoula was still in the AWHL. During that season, Niko had 0 goals in 32 games played, 5 assists, 5 TPs, a +/- of 11, and 41 PIMs. I am very enthused that Niko is back on the roster this year because, in my opinion, he one of the best kinds of defenseman. He is tough, physical, and isn't afraid to get aggressive out on the ice. I think that he should be a great asset for the Maulers because he can stand up and protect the other players, stand his ground during plays, and will bring a bigger more physical game to a league that is generally very aggressive. I watched him play through the Totems, Knights, and Mustangs series and I thought the performance level was very high. He had quick swift hits, quick skates, and tape-to-tape passes. I think that he will be very good for the Maulers in the upcoming series against the Southern Oregon Spartans because I know for a fact that the Spartans are a hard hitting team and are incredibly physical. Hopefully he can produce some huge checks in Medford, Oregon. I had the great pleasure of interviewing him at the rink 2 or 3 weeks ago along with Z and Nikita and here is what he had to say!

1.  Why did you decide to join the Maulers again?

NP: Good program, good coaching style

2. What skills on and off the ice do you expect to bring to the team this year?

NP: Hard hitting, moving the puck

3. Favorite NHL team and player?

NP: Anaheim Ducks and Teemu Selanne

4. Favorite pregame meal?

NP: I like to eat spaghetti before

5. What do you enjoy to do when you are not playing hockey?

NP: Golf and hunt

6. Greatest chirp you have ever said or been told?

NP: I can't remember any chirps

7. What do you like most about Missoula?

NP: Well playing here two years I love the town, I love the atmosphere

8. Best hockey memory?

NP: Probably when I was little, getting to skate with the Chiefs

9. Worst travel experience?

NP: Being stuck in a T-Shirt and tank top and the bus being freezing cold

10. Best dressed?

NP: Connor McNally or the Swedes

11. Where do you see yourself in hockey in the next 5 years?

NP: Hopefully playing college but if not coaching little kids

12. Best travel partner?

NP: Probably Christian Manning

13. Goon, Slapshot, or Miracle?

NP: Miracle

14. Which NHL player would you want to go 1 on 1 with?

NP: Probably Mike Green

15. Which player best embodies the junior lifestyle?

NP: Corey Schafer

16. Anything you would like to tell the fans?

NP: Come down and watch us play

17. Which NHL player would you compare yourself to?

NP: Probably Mike Green

18. If you had to be stuck on a desert island with anyone in the world or anyone on the team who would it be?

NP: I don't know that's a tough one, my girlfriend or probably one of the guys from the team

 Niko was great to talk with and is going to be a huge influence on the rookies and on the team's physical game. I can't wait to watch his game evolve throughout the season! Thanks for chatting with me Niko and good luck with the Maulers!