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Otters’ Finnish Product: Jesse Ketonen brings play from Finland to FF
Published 8:18am Tuesday, February 5, 2013With hockey in mind, 17-year-old Jesse Ketonen’s first choice was Minnesota when he signed up for Finland’s foreign exchange student program. The company helping him with the trip decided Fergus Falls would be a great place for Jesse to spend a year; playing hockey and going to school. Jesse is living with Erik and Lisa Ahlgren during his stay in America.
Hockey for Jesse was a little different in his home country of Finland. There is no high school hockey, but instead there is club hockey.
Jesse has adapted well to the slightly more strict playing style of Minnesota, getting significant playing time for the Otters varsity team, and recording four goals and ten assist thus far this season.
“Jesse has good quickness to win races to loose pucks. He has great anticipation off of face offs to recover pucks and create scoring chances for us,” said Head Coach Mike Donaghue. “He is very competitive. He has a desire to get better every day and to make his team mates better. He works very hard in practice.”
Outside of hockey, Jesse is enjoying his time in the United States. He has gotten accustomed to the people and their “Minnesota Nice” way.
“I like how nice people are here, and American food is also good,” said Ketonen about his time here.
Jesse will finish the season and the school year here before he returns to Finland with the memories of a great year in Minnesota.
