Sel8nne Page #3

---

The working hours were perfect,

nine to one.

I got to think of something

other than hockey for a while.

And it forced me to

get out of bed.

One day I noticed

that he was unusually quiet.

I sensed that something had happened.

I remember it was

a sunny spring day.

Or maybe it was summer.

Our parents asked us to

get to the kitchen.

They told us what would happen.

We thought they were so independent -

that we could get divorced.

They waited until you were 15

before they divorced.

The children took it sensibly.

I rebelled a little.

The divorce was a surprise.

At least for Teemu and me.

Was it? - It was a shock.

At least for me.

We had never seen them argue.

They kept it all hidden -

to create a healthy home.

I wondered why we didn't travel together.

We were later told

who they traveled with.

It was hard to accept that

dad had a new woman in his life.

We probably didn't treat Kirsi

as well as she'd deserve.

Teemu did not accept that a new

woman took his mother's place.

He became engaged at age 16.

Teemu searched

security and stability in our relationship.

Anu was a good athlete.

She was a finswimmer.

Teemu has always been

charismatic and charming.

It was a surprise when Teemu,

normally smart -

came and asked for money.

300 Marks.

It was a large sum.

I asked why.

He said he would tell me later.

We got engaged

quickly and merrily.

I was told that he needed

money for a ring.

Teenage Love is tough.

Anu was an exchange student

in Seattle for a year.

I even sold my

motorbike -

so that I could fly there

and see Anu.

After that Teemu

became better known -

and people were more interested -

than when I got him

for myself.

I had no time

for a girlfriend anymore.

Not a steady one anyway.

We rode motorcycles together.

We went around Finland every summer.

We turned many cities

upside down.

It's fun to look back to the time

when I played in Jokerit.

There was a great atmosphere

around the whole team.

I became his secretary

when he started in Jokerit.

Sometimes, I received mail from

girls who sent nude pictures.

It felt incredible.

I opened and read all the letters.

If there were issues,

I asked Teemu's opinion.

He became a star that year.

He was the best

player in Finland -

when Jokerit won the Finnish championship.

We created his stardom

systematically.

It was not hard.

He is a natural star.

He shoots!

He scores!

He became the "milk boy" then.

The advertisements were made in the USA.

It was really good advertising.

Teemu also has

narcissistic traits.

He wants to be the best -

and maybe not the hottest,

but whatever.

He doesn't drink only milk.

Product of the Month

is Teemu Selanne...

No other athlete

has been featured in more -

nonsense articles than Teemu.

Teemu sells papers.

Hello!

Media has always treated

him with kid gloves.

It's because Teemu

can charm people.

Media has always treated me well.

I have also tried to live in a way -

that does not cause

any major scandals.

Once I'd buy

candy or something with the kids -

when I saw the headline.

I turned the children's heads

and suggested another store.

People like to talk

about negative things.

One hears rumors about Teemu

or even me.

People often point out that

hockey players, -

athletes and stars

often have women around him.

One must remember -

what acting stupidly

can cost.

We both are pretty jealous.

Many people find it hard to believe

Teemu is also is jealous.

No one can come between two people

if there is no room.

1993 SUMMER l FINLAND

AFTER THE FIRST NHL SEASON

When I came back to Finland

there was much hubbub.

I had to learn to deal with it.

People I know asked me to come

to Corporate events.

I had a lot of sponsor stuff

I had promised to do.

Sometimes I came home

at ten o'clock in the evening.

I called Sirpa and told her to take my running shoes

-

and come to

the Kirkkonummi intersection -

so that I could train even a little.

I recall the journey

back to North America.

I sat on the plane -

and thought:

"Thank God, now I can rest."

And I can assure you of

that the NHL is not a resting place.

I learned a lesson

and grew as a person.

Sometimes you have to be selfish.

Our mothers met

before we were born.

I was head

in a retirement home in Ruskeasuo.

Sirpa's parents lived there.

When my oldest son, Panu, was born -

I went there on

prenatal counseling.

Sirpa's mom was there with

Sirpa's sister, Jaana.

My mother became pregnant with me -

and after a year Liisa became pregnant

with Teemu and Paavo.

Liisa borrowed

the maternity dress of my mother.

Our mothers had the same

maternity dress when we were on our way.

We moved to Lauttasaari,

but we kept in touch.

Our kids played together

and such.

Then we didn't see very often.

Our families had other things.

When Paavo graduated from high school -

Sirpa and her parents

came to the party.

I think it was actually

the next day after the graduation party.

I got home from training.

He had worn out

Adidas sweatpants.

He pulled down his pants

and showed us his underpants.

We thought he was pretty bold.

I thought immediately

that she was very pretty.

We talked all evening.

When Sirpa and her parents left

-

I thought there was

something special about her.

I was a bit shy and wondered

if I could call her.

Teemu asked me to

call Sirpa's mother -

And ask if

Sirpa had a boyfriend.

I called and asked -

if she wanted to come to a

Pink Floyd concert with me.

The mothers were very happy

because the families knew each other.

They thought it was nice

that the children were together.

Teemu was a very popular young man.

He had lots of girl fans.

We wondered if we could walk hand in hand -

or if fans would disagree.

I was conscious about it

in some interviews.

I wanted the girls to know

that Teemu had a girlfriend.

I got married first

of my buddies.

We had decided that whenever there's a stag party -

we design a tattoo

for the groom.

I was blindfolded.

I didn't know

where we were going.

I thought we were at the strip club.

I was hoping that, anyway.

Then I heard the sound

of a tattoo machine.

"Holy sh*t!"

The guys had drawn a picture -

of Finnish flag

with a lightning bolt through.

When the tattoo artist recognized

it was me in the chair -

he became so confused

that the flag's colors were reversed.

It looks like a "Swedish Flash."

When I played in Colorado

with Peter Forsberg -

he said:
"I knew it."

"Deep inside, you always have

wanted to be Swedish."

Teemu had a friend

he had known for a long time.

That friend leaked photos

from Teemu's wedding -

to the magazine "7 piv."

The friendship ended right there.

It was an easy choice

I bought salty licorice candy

I bought every salty licorice candy

in the whole store

Then I was banned from the

store for the rest of my life

There was much talk

that you would play in SM-liiga.

But you stayed in Jokerit

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes