Player Spotlight: Aarne Talvitie

Audio/Story posted October 11, 2019 in CommRadio, Sports by Alec Burns

Penn State sophomore Aarne Talvitie is looking to make a big impact on the ice this season for the Penn State men’s hockey team. Talvitie is also looking to have a bounce back season this year after his freshman season was cut short due to an injury.

While playing on the Finland team during the 2019 World Junior Championships, who also won the gold medal, he suffered an unfortunate knee injury that ended his freshman season at Penn State. The surgery for the injury forced him to sit out and watch the rest of the season from the bench.

“It was hard. It was really hard and especially right after the injury I was like ok it’s not bad," Talvitie said. "But you know, it is what it is. There’s not much you can do, just got to be patient."

Talvitie was having an impressive start to his freshman season before the injury, totaling 16 points in only 17 games. He was also the captain of that Finland World Junior Championship team.

This past weekend, Talvitie finally played his first game back on the ice with the Penn State hockey team after a long rehabilitation process.

“Rusty, to be honest. It was a big nine or ten months since the last game. So I wasn’t expecting a lot, but it was good to get it over with and just looking forward to Friday,” Talvitie said. 

Penn State head coach Guy Gadowsky talked about how there was an evident piece missing in the team’s dynamic while Talvitie was gone with the injury. The team was missing a strong personality and it hurt not having him on the ice.

“What I try to bring is just kind of like a pure working guy. Working as hard as I can and try to be a little bit vocal,” Talvitie said. “You know, try to do a little bit of the dirty work, try to be as good as I can be, and be a versatile player as well.”

Penn State was and is very excited to get him back on the ice this weekend. Talvitie and Penn State host Sacred Heart for a pair of games at Pegula Ice Arena. It is only the beginning of a long season, but the hockey team looks to start their winning ways off early this year.

 

 

Alec Burns is a freshman majoring in Public Relations/Advertising. To contact him, email ahb5272@psu.edu.