{"id":142478,"date":"2025-08-13T13:27:09","date_gmt":"2025-08-13T13:27:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/142478\/"},"modified":"2025-08-13T13:27:09","modified_gmt":"2025-08-13T13:27:09","slug":"former-red-wings-player-enters-into-therapy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/142478\/","title":{"rendered":"Former Red Wings Player Enters Into Therapy"},"content":{"rendered":"

Meeting with the media for the first time since returning to play in his homeland of Finland for Kiekko-Vantaa, former Detroit<\/a> Red Wings forward Teemu Pulkkinen<\/a> made the stark admission that money was his motivator to keep playing in the KHL after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was a value choice, and it\u2019s easy to say afterwards that it was really wrong,\u201d Finnish website Ilta-Sanomat<\/a> reported Pulkkinen saying during a press conference. \u201cAt the time, I thought I was practicing my profession and getting a good salary for it.\u201d<\/p>\n

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EUROPE | HCC’s Teemu Pulkkinen returns to Finland #Mestis<\/a> #HCC<\/a> https:\/\/t.co\/dwVz2GtcTZ<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 swisshockeynews.ch (@SwissHockeyNews) August 8, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Money, he admits, was what drove him to remain in Russia. He played six seasons in the KHL and was the only Finnish player in the league after the outbreak of the war.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat was the biggest motivator, there\u2019s no denying that,\u201d Pulkkinen<\/a> acknowledged. \u201cI stayed there for the money, and I signed a new contract for the money.<\/p>\n

\u201cI bear responsibility for staying there myself, and it was completely my own choice.\u201d<\/p>\n

He left the KHL following the 2023-24 season. Last season saw Pulkkinen play in Germany, Slovakia, and Switzerland. He also suggests it led to an awakening in his life.<\/p>\n

Former Red Wings Forward Enters Therapy<\/p>\n

\u201cFor the last year and a half, I have lived a very different life than I did 10 years ago,\u201d Pulkkinen<\/a> explained. \u201cI have been to therapy to seek help for my problems, and my values are different today.<\/p>\n

\u201cI feel like I\u2019m a better person today. I\u2019m trying to be a better version of myself than I was the last 10 years. The last year and a half has taught me a lot.<\/p>\n

\u201cToday, and with these values, I realize (playing in Russia) was the wrong choice.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pulkkinen declined to elaborate on the specific changes he\u2019s making in his lifestyle. His only comment was that he continues to work to make himself a better person.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t want to open them any further,\u201d he said. \u201cEveryone has challenges in their life, and everyone needs a change sometimes. I felt that I needed a change. I am in a good place right now.<\/p>\n

\u201cI take care of myself and keep myself in shape. It has worked for me, and I will continue to do so.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Teemu Pulkkinen on ice with #redwings<\/a> during informal skates at JLA. pic.twitter.com\/2q6oYx1US7<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Bob Duff (@asktheduffer) September 19, 2016<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

The Red Wings selected the Finnish right-winger 111th overall in the 2010 NHL entry draft. Pulkkinen played 70 games for Detroit from 2013-16, scoring 11 goals.<\/p>\n

He also spent three seasons with the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins<\/a>. Pulkkinen was a two-time 30-goal scorer in GR. He won a Calder Cup title with the Griffins in 2012-13. Pulkkinen scored 14 goals in 16 playoff games with Grand Rapids in 2014-15.<\/p>\n

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