8 Things You Didn’t Know About Vesa Toskala
by Michelle Finch
- Drafted in 4th round, 90th overall in the 1995 NHL entry draft, by the SJ Sharks. Fellow Finn Miika Kiprusoff was taken the next round, also by the Sharks.
- Was not planning on a career in hockey at the time of his draft. Vesa Toskala was considering a return to school and leaving hockey entirely, unsure about the stability of a career in hockey. The Sharks convinced him to give North America a try.
- Scored 2 points (2 assists) against the Chicago Blackhawks on February 3, 2007, a Sharks club record.
- Earned the nickname “The Finnish Horse” from Sharks’ broadcaster Dan Rusanowsky.
- First NHL start was a total of ten minutes in relief of Evgeni Nabokov. Toskala faced and stopped two shots.
- Calls his goaltending style “bear style”.
- Credits playing soccer in Finland to his development as a goalie.
- Before Tuesday night’s debacle had never allowed 7 goals in a single game.
Miika Kiprusoff, Vesa Toskala, Evgeni Nabokov
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