Being the jet setter that Valtteri Aalto is, he has found many hobbies over the years that has stuck with him into his hockey career.

Growing up in Japan, Aalto took a liking to cars in his younger years, especially fast cars. Before his hockey career started to flourish Aalto was a decorated young driver in the formula junior series in Japan. Some of the biggest attributes that helped him there, bravery, reflexes and mental toughness have found themselves in great use during his hockey career.

First you have bravery. Now what goalie does not possess this? They stand in front of shots that exceed 100+MPH. You must have the bravery needed for that.

Then you have reflexes. When you are throwing a single seater around corners too fast for your brain to keep up and somehow goes off track or cuts you off, you need the reflexes of a ninja to make sure you get out of harm’s way.

Last you have mental toughness. If you don’t have the mental ability to make it through grueling race weekends and the extreme highs and lows that also come with the sport, you won’t make it.