Karlis Skrastins, his time in Finland and his first paycheck.
I thought it would be okay to share something from an interview I read from the magazine in Finland.
Jukka Koivu, father of Saku Koivu and Mikko Koivu had some words of a young player that once came to TPS Turku, team in Sm-liiga Finland. Jukka was an assistant coach of TPS and worked very much with this player.
That young player was not a star and he had a try-out first. He made it and had some fine years with TPS 1995 - 1998. He also had a silver medal. Then he left to Nashville and so on.
Karlis Skrastins was his name and this very shy, but very much loved player started his career in NHL, but never forgot his time in Finland. Saku was with Montreal and when Jukka was visiting him and saw Skrastins during his visits in USA/Canada,he always talked with Jukka and was asking about finnish hockey.
Jukka told many similar things of his style of play, many of you know these things. But this one thing I have to share with you guys/girls.
When Karlis got his first paycheck, he sent some of it to his mother. And he bought a cow to his mother, so his relatives in Latvia would make it back there. A young man age of 21 did these things and from what I have been reading... He lived his life that way to these last moments...
We in Finland also remember Karlis and may he rest in peace. You had a great career and it did end too soon...
My friend Markus - his nick is Kyrpis - is a fan of TPS and perhaps he might share some more of Karlis to this post later.
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What a wonderful story and a nice glimpse at a very young Karlis Skrastins
Thanks for sharing this with us, Henri
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Thanks. He had some good moments while he was here and Finns will miss him too.
I was pretty young when he was here and the only reason why I first took notice, was because he was a Latvian.
I’m a big fan of Arturs Irbe.
Good times are here and Stars will take what belongs to them. Sooner or Later.
by Henri Muroke on Sep 11, 2011 5:05 PM CDT up reply actions
And his Jofa.
It was “the thing”. Look out for the big white helmet. =)
Good times are here and Stars will take what belongs to them. Sooner or Later.
by Henri Muroke on Sep 12, 2011 1:25 AM CDT up reply actions
Thank you.
Karlis left a positive feeling everywhere he went.
May he rest in peace.
So be it.
And it was a long time ago.
Good times are here and Stars will take what belongs to them. Sooner or Later.
by Henri Muroke on Sep 12, 2011 10:52 AM CDT up reply actions
Great story
This is absolutely something that should be included in the Skrastins fanbook.
Then I will send it.
I have to make some changes, but only because it’s written with pencil, not with keybord.
I got Taylor’s info, so I will try to write it down as soon as possible.
Letter will not be the same, but the story will be.
Good times are here and Stars will take what belongs to them. Sooner or Later.
by Henri Muroke on Sep 12, 2011 12:32 PM CDT up reply actions




























