July 06, 2006
Sportsnet.ca -- There is at least one person in Vancouver not pleased with the arrival of all-star goaltender Roberto Luongo -- back up Mika Noronen.
According to CKNW in Vancouver, Noronen wants to be a starter in the NHL, something which will not happen as long as Luongo is around.
"Even if he doesn't play that well, he is going to play anyways. It is a (expletive) thing for me right now as I have no choice, I want to play in the NHL and not in Europe ... that's why I am hoping to sign a one-year deal and we'll see what happens after that," Noronen told the radio station during a Thursday interview.
The Finnish goaltender was acquired from the Buffalo Sabres at the trade deadline. IN eight games played, he posted a 2-3 record with a 3.89 GAA.
"It's going to be tough. I have been a back up goalie for the past few years and I have been waiting and waiting, and now this year coming up it is going to be hard to take that spot. So I am going to come to camp, hopefully have a good camp and well when I can."
Due to Noronen's inexperience in games played, he qualifies for a two-way deal, something that does not sit well with the goaltender.
"I want a one-way deal, right now they qualified me two-way because I didn't have enough games ... I am not going to sign a two-way deal."
Noronen was third on the Canucks' pecking order before the team traded Dan Cloutier to Los Angeles for a picks package.
Sportsnet.ca -- There is at least one person in Vancouver not pleased with the arrival of all-star goaltender Roberto Luongo -- back up Mika Noronen.
According to CKNW in Vancouver, Noronen wants to be a starter in the NHL, something which will not happen as long as Luongo is around.
"Even if he doesn't play that well, he is going to play anyways. It is a (expletive) thing for me right now as I have no choice, I want to play in the NHL and not in Europe ... that's why I am hoping to sign a one-year deal and we'll see what happens after that," Noronen told the radio station during a Thursday interview.
The Finnish goaltender was acquired from the Buffalo Sabres at the trade deadline. IN eight games played, he posted a 2-3 record with a 3.89 GAA.
"It's going to be tough. I have been a back up goalie for the past few years and I have been waiting and waiting, and now this year coming up it is going to be hard to take that spot. So I am going to come to camp, hopefully have a good camp and well when I can."
Due to Noronen's inexperience in games played, he qualifies for a two-way deal, something that does not sit well with the goaltender.
"I want a one-way deal, right now they qualified me two-way because I didn't have enough games ... I am not going to sign a two-way deal."
Noronen was third on the Canucks' pecking order before the team traded Dan Cloutier to Los Angeles for a picks package.
