Michael Hutchinson: Vesa-Matti Loukoaho Is Right

Michael Hutchinson is a born leader. He has the ability to motivate and inspire his teammates to play their best.

"Vesa-Matti Loukoaho is doing a good job," Hutchinson explained to Iltalehti. "I think the hockey culture here has been a bit too individualistic, a bit too selfish. My goal is to change that. I want each player to realize that the team’s success is more important than personal stats or highlights."
Hutchinson believes you can tell a lot about a team by watching how they perform in the face of adversity. And he was particularly impressed with how Loukoaho’s squad responded in the final minutes of their game against Ilves. Trailing by one goal with under three minutes remaining, SaiPa scored two goals in a span of just 19 seconds to secure the victory.
"That tells you a lot about the team’s character," Hutchinson said. "They never gave up, and they found a way to win when the chips were down."
Hutchinson also praised Loukoaho’s ability to adapt his tactics to the strengths and weaknesses of his opponents. He mentioned that Loukoaho has the courage to try unconventional things, such as using a six-man rotation on the blue line.
"He’s always thinking about how to improve the team," Hutchinson said. "He’s a very smart coach who is always looking for an edge."
Hutchinson is excited about the future of SaiPa under Loukoaho’s leadership. He believes that his team has the potential to be a contender for the Finnish Championship.
"We have a very good team," Hutchinson said. "We have the skills, the experience, and the leadership. I think we can achieve great things together."