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The play of quiet Finn Numminen speaks volumes
By MIKE HEIKA / The Dallas Morning News
Teppo Numminen has never felt a need to be "the one."
While he grew up as the coach's son and often was the best player on his youth teams, the calm defenseman didn't have the flash to draw the excitement of the fans or the personality to draw the interest of the media.
"It's funny with Teppo, you don't see big crowds around him," said Stars teammate Niko Kapanen. "Teemu Selanne or Jari Kurri, they are always crowded, but he just does his job quietly."
So quietly, in fact, most casual fans don't realize just how good he is. But the three-time All-Star Game participant is to his Finnish counterparts what Igor Larionov is to young Russian players. Numminen is a hero in his homeland and a big brother who proudly waves the Finnish flag not only on the home soil but also as a member of the NHL.
"When I found out about the trade, I was so happy," said Stars winger Jere Lehtinen. "Teppo is just such a tremendous all-around player. He is not just offense or defense, he is a two-way player who can do everything.
"And," Lehtinen adds, "he is a good person for role model."
In fact, the Stars aren't sure where Numminen might be a bigger asset – on the ice or off. While he is an accomplished NHL star with 534 points in 1,098 games, he is also a perfect leader for players like Kapanen and Antti Miettinen.
"He's just a good person, you can tell that right off the bat," Stars coach Dave Tippett said. "And you can see the respect the other Finns have for him. He's very much somebody who will have an influence on them."
You can almost call it a coaching role – it's not far from Numminen's roots. Born in Tampere, Finland, in 1968, his dad was first a player and then coach for the local team, Tappara. Kalevi Numminen was an All-Star defenseman in 1963 and 1967 and was a member of three Finnish League champions. He then became a coach and took the team to three more titles. In fact, the coach of the year for the Finnish Elite League is now awarded the Kalevi Numminen Trophy.
"It was huge growing up and hanging around the rink," the younger Numminen said. "Getting an inside look at what the life might be playing hockey ... that's when I got the spark to want to do that."
Numminen quickly followed in his dad's footsteps and became a defenseman for Tappara. He was a standout in World Junior play, helping the Finns to the gold medal at the 1986 World Juniors and then being named best defensemen in the1988 tournament during a bronze medal performance. While those games were important, Numminen said he really felt proudest when he was moved up to the Olympic team at age 20 in 1988 and helped Finland take the silver medal in Calgary.
It was the first Olympic medal in the history of Finnish hockey.
"That was just so unreal to be a part of that," Numminen said. "To be there with players who I really idolized was something very special."
And while Pekka Marjamaki and Reijo Ruotsalainen were hardly household names in the NHL, it's fitting that they were heroes to the quiet Numminen.
"He is so patient and so calm, and that's maybe why you don't notice him so much," Kapanen said. "I have learned a lot from watching him – on ice, off ice, he just does things his way all the time. He doesn't let others get to him. He is very dedicated and very patient. You can learn a lot from him."
Numminen blushes at the compliment.
"I don't think of myself like Larionov, but I know what you mean," he said. "I have been around for 15 years, and I have learned a lot. So I try to teach others."
Just say it's in his blood.
E-mail
mheika@dallasnews.com
TEPPO NUMMINEN FILE
Born: July 3, 1968, Tampere, Finland
Position: Defenseman
Ht./Wt.: 6-2, 199
Shoots: Right
Notable: Followed in the footsteps of his dad, Kalevi, and became a defenseman for Tappara Tampere 1985-88. ...Taken by Winnipeg in NHL entry draft (29th overall) in 1986. ... Began career with Jets in 1988 after helping Finland to silver medal in Olympics. ... Became the all-time leader in several categories while playing 1,098 games for the Jets-Phoenix Coyotes. Ranks first among defensemen in goals (108), assists (426) and points (534). Leads all players in games played. ... Named to NHL All-Star Game (1999, 2000, 2001). ... Had a 360 games played streak from 1996-2000. ...Team never advanced past the first round of the playoffs while he was in the Jets-Coyotes organization.
Did you know? Kalevi Numminen coached the Finnish National Team in the 1980 Olympics, losing to Team USA in the game that gave "The Miracle on Ice" team the gold medal.