Rockets goalie credits monk for improved mobility

Every competitive athlete is looking for an edge.

Something that improves performance, helps recovery and makes them feel better, both physically and mentally.

For Kelowna Rockets goaltender Jari Kykkanen, he stumbled upon what he considers out-of-the-box training this summer.

“His name is Louis Ngo. He used to be a Chinese monk”, Kykkanen told RocketFAN. “He now works with athletes and does a lot of mobility training.”

On Instagram, Ngo considers himself a ‘movement coach’. Kykkanen calls him a miracle worker.

“The first workout I had with him, I felt so much better afterward. Being flexible is a big part of the game for a goalie, especially for those who like to make the big, desperation saves. Being able to do the splits is not a bad thing to have in your toolbox”, Kykkanen continued.

At first glance, you would think the last name Kykkanen (pronounced Kick-a-nin) would mean the Kelowna Rockets are using a European-born player at that crucial position. You will be shocked to learn, Lloydminister, Alberta is where he grew up.

“My name is Finnish. My great grandpa was born in Finland and moved to Canada. My dad made a deal with my mom that if they had a boy, he could name him – Jari – after one of his favourite Finnish hockey players.”

Jari Kurri is an Edmonton Oilers great who ran shotgun playing right wing alongside legendary NHL goal scorer Wayne Gretzky.

Growing up, the 18-year-old emulated Nashville Predators goalie Pekka Rinne. Retiring last summer, Kykkanen now says Vancouver Canucks Thatcher Demko is someone he is trying to model his game after, calling his post-work  “phenomenal”.

“I like to be in control of the game. If I can make the routine save, I like to do that”.

Kykkanen joined the Rockets midway through last season. He won the first three games he played, appearing 13 times during the regular season before, surprisingly, starting game two of an opening round playoff series against the eventual Western Conference champion Seattle Thunderbirds.

At 6’3 and 195 pounds, he knows his communication skills, as a goalie, is a work in progress.

“The guys (defencemen) really appreciate when you talk to them when they are going into the corner with their back turned”, Kykkanen added. “They don’t know what’s coming for them. They can do a quick shoulder check, but they really have no idea what is coming. The communication part for a goalie is huge on what play to do, or if they have to eat a hit to make a play.”

This season, Kykkanen wants more ice time. Not satisfied with playing second fiddle to starting goaltender Tayln Boyko, he says the relationship between the two is a good one.

“He is a mentor for me. He is pushing me and I pushing him. It is competitive, but in a good way. Not that we hate each other”, Kykkanen said with a laugh. “We just want to make each other better.”

While Boyko was drafted in the fourth round of the 2021 NHL draft by the New York Rangers, Kykkanen wasn’t selected, yet attended the Florida Panthers rookie camp.

Goalies are typically considered odd. They have strange habits, anything from talking to themselves to having a conversation with their goal posts.

It begs the question, is Kykkanen quirky?

“I don’t want to think I am too weird”, he said with a smile. “I have definitely met some weirder goalies. Not everybody is normal. If you are normal, this position (goalie) is not for you.”