Player Spotlight: Juuso "TheSpeedo" Sirkola

SportsGamers, the Player Spotlight series is making its return with the objective of showcasing gamers that would perhaps otherwise fall outside normal reporting, but that we want to get to know better. Our strength is this community, so let's get to know each other!

We're coming at you with an interview of Prima eSport goaltender Juuso @TheSpeedo Sirkola, who took his first strides back in the second season of the Summer Cup with NG International Army alongside players such as @janbonator and @Mullweiser, who have since put down the controller. The 25-year old virtual goaltender hailing from the Finnish coastal city of Vaasa actually started his NHL gaming career as a winger, but quickly realized that his talent is better suited for stopping pucks.

1. What was your first experience with the EASHL mode in NHL?
Back in NHL 17 we played 3v3 in a team called Gainsville Gains with some friends. We all played on our 4G connections with pings between 100-200. Good times.

2. What’s the best part of playing for your current club Prima eSport?
The team is full of highly skilled players with high ceilings. That also motivates me to become a better player every time i take the ice.

3. What is your greatest NHL gaming memory?
NHL gaming get togethers between friends. Tough 1v1 matches, great drinks, fair and sometimes less fair competition. Usually these things last far into the morning hours before the best of the best is determined, and who will hold the bragging rights until next time we go at it.

4. Describe your perfect breakfast!
Not a big breakfast guy by any means, but if I'm on a day off I'd say lots of coffee, apple juice, sausage, bacon and some yoghurt with granola will do the trick. On workdays my specialty is to throw water & oats in a shaker - bon appétit!

5. You're GM for a day and get to pick any player for your 6v6 team but none of your current teammates. Who's in your starting six and why?

@Hippitukka - @ReDMisTi - @Maexsa
@saunapastori - @jahajaha93
@ICappeI

Giving credit where it is due. Maexsa opened the door for me to the legendary Elamam Kiekko back in the day, as a young goalie I got a lot of responsibility which definitely motivated me and made me a better player. Eventually we co-captained the team for a while too. I picked Redmisti & Hippitukka for similar reasons, they trusted me to mind the net for Arkham and I really learned a winning mentality from these guys. Saunapastori will be our press guy, handling all the public statements and PR. Jaha is the one who originally got me into the scene. Finally, I had to pick the best goalie out there to give this team the slightest chance of being competitive!

6. What was your dream job growing up and what do you currently do?
Every little boys dream, I wanted to be a hockey player, and later on a chef. Nowadays I'm a correctional officer.

7. Do you play or have you played hockey?
As a kid I played for Vaasan Sport, but nowadays my hockey is limited to the PlayStation version or outdoor rinks.

8. What’s your best hockey memory?
Absolutely the 2009 SM-Liiga relegation series between Sport and Ässät. I was a little kid back then and cheered so hard my throat got sore in those games.

9. What do you like to do in your spare time besides playing NHL?
Sleeping and watching Netflix, but also a lot different types of sports. At the moment floorball and Padel are my favorites.

10. Pizza with three toppings, what are your choices?
Pepperoni, shrimp and paprika.

11. You're the locker room DJ and get one song to hype up your team. What do you play?
Fabian Mazur & Snavs - Arena

12. How did you come up with your PSN ID?
As a kid I was a pretty good swimmer and when creating my PSD ID I laid eyes on some trunks of a particular brand next to me. The rest is history.

13. Who’s the best player in the ECL according to you?
I'll have to say another goalie, Casper @ICappeI Lundgren. He's been at the top for so long and won pretty much everything you can imagine. He doesn't just give his team the opportunity to win every night, but also the opportunity to claim the title every season.

14. Describe your ideal holiday!
A summer cottage getaway. No rush, great food, a sauna and some good drinks, what else could you ask for?

15. Now it's up to you to suggest who we should interview next. Who do you want to hear from and why?
@Maexsa, the guy has been around for a long time and I'm sure he would have some interesting stuff to tell. When will we see the return of Elamam Kiekko, for example?

Feel free to also suggest who you'd want to see in the Player Spotlight-series - let us know in the comments below!