Jesse Puljujärvi: “It’s been a long process, I’m really happy to be here”

The last couple of seasons have been an ordeal for Jesse Puljujärvi. He split a rather unproductive 2022-23 campaign between the Edmonton Oilers and Carolina Hurricanes, during which he played in constant pain. Then in June 2023, he underwent double hip surgery. He didn’t return to the ice until January and, after a half-season split between the AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and the NHL, he’s now playing in his second IIHF World Championship for Finland, and first since 2017.

Finland lost its opener to host Czechia 1-0 in a shootout. Puljujärvi was held without a shot on goal and was denied in the third round of the shootout by Czech goaltender Lukáš Dostál. In the second game, however, Puljujärvi had a goal and two assists during a five-goal second period in which the Finns broke the game open against Great Britain, eventually winning 8-0.

“The first game, from the offensive side we didn’t have much so it was good to get some goals today,” said Puljujärvi. “It took a little while, but we just needed to get a bit of confidence and then we got rolling. Good stuff.”

After you had surgery last summer, did you think you’d be in this position right now, playing in the World Championship?
“That’s hard to say. I wasn’t really thinking that far ahead. The plan was just to recover and get myself ready to play again. It’s been a long process and now I’m just really happy to be here. I want to improve myself, help the team and just enjoy it.”

It was a pretty eventful season for you. A lot of players in a similar position skip this tournament. What was your motivation for coming here?
“Well, I’m feeling great and I want to play. I really wanted to come here because I hadn’t played too many games yet this year, so I thought this was a really good opportunity for me to get my game back up to the level I want, and also to help the team win. I’m really happy to be here and I’m really happy that they wanted me to play.”

You still have another year under contract with Pittsburgh. Are you looking forward to having a full season free of pain?
“It’s gonna be a big year for me and in the summer I’m going to do everything I can to be ready for the start of next season, but first my attention is on this tournament. Let’s focus on Team Finland.”