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Ochocinco · 01-16-2016, 09:06 PM

Since coming over from his native Finland at age 16, Saint Jericho has received a large amount of questions about hockey. What are his strengths? What are his weaknesses? What does he see as his ceiling? Is he a reliable player on and off the ice? But along with these questions comes the one he hears most; how does a young man from Finland acquire the name Saint Jericho?

It begins with a young, hockey playing boy from Helsinki, named Mikko Nieminen. Growing up house with his older brother, Vilppu along with his parents, Mikko lived in a small and humble home on the outskirts of Helsinki. His mother, a kind and quiet woman, was his only solace in a home run by Mikko's father of the same name. Mikko senior was a hard working man at a downtown sheet metal manufacturing plant and was known for being relentless as a worker, a person and in relation to his family, a belligerent father and husband. At a young age, Mikko Nieminen Jr. thought his father was just like everybody's; growing up a loner and restricted to his own home by protective parents, he never knew the type of man his father really was. A chronic drinker with a fiery anger, his father had never given him the time of day unless to scold or punish him for his wrongdoings. He would, however, be grateful to his father for two things; allowing him to attend school and play hockey.

[Image: alex_petrovic_red_deer_021812.jpg]

[Image: alex_petrovic_red_deer_021812.jpg]

Even from a young age Mikko's overbearing father would strike him when he deemed necessary. This usually became a weekly routine for the boy. Whether his grades were good or not, whether his hockey team won or lost, nothing would come close to earning the respect of his father. The constant violence led to a very reserved child with very few friends and only one place to seek vindication; on the hockey rink. An above average hockey player who loved to score goals, he was forced to play as a defenceman by his father, who demanded a more physical style of game that wouldn't allow his offensive talents to be shown. However, Mikko made the most of his dilemma and became a strong, established defender for his hometown team, drawing the attention of scouts from all over the world. At age 16 he was approached by the Prince George Firebirds to come over to North America and play hockey, but his father would have none of it. A self-proclaimed racist of North American people, his father had threatened to withdraw him from hockey.

One day thereafter, Mikko had convinced his entire family to go to one of his hockey games. He was to be presented with the team's award for best defenceman of the season and wanted everyone to be there to witness his accomplishment. However, there were different plans for the Nieminen family that night. While turning off of the highway and approaching the hockey arena, Mikko's father turned to face Mikko and his brother in the back seat just as a semi-truck had turned into their lane. Their vehicle was struck and sent straight into the ditch, flipping twice before landing on the roof. When Mikko regained consciousness he was in the Helsinki General Hospital, told neither of his parents had survived. His brother lay unconscious in the bed beside and did not have much time left. Mikko had three broken ribs and a leg that had been broken in two places, his hockey career in jeopardy. After a hard night of pain and emotional trauma, Mikko noticed his brother coming to. Vilppu turns to his younger brother and opens his mouth, "you're a saint, Mikko. Make us proud."

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Mikko's brother was dead and he was now the last remaining member of his family. After various court battles and politics, Mikko decided to take his life into his own hands. In a last ditch effort, he filed for emancipation from the state. However, in order to be granted, he would need to find someone to sponsor him. He called the ownership of the Prince George Firebirds, however they were concerned with the injuries sustained and the emotional impact this may have had on him. After guaranteeing that he would indeed play hockey again, the Firebirds took a risk and drafted the Finnish player, who was found a billet family in Canada. Arriving just after the draft, Mikko Nieminen took the necessary steps to change his name, finally separating himself from the ghost of a father who never cared. His brother's last words in mind, he requested to be renamed Saint. The surname Jericho stemmed from his desire to stand out after a life of obscurity.

In the months following, hard rehabilitation and training took it's toll on the Finnish star, but through heart and perseverance he returned to skating with his new teammates and is quickly supplanting the other defenders on the squad hoping to become a top defenceman in the SMJHL. A winner at all levels before arriving, Saint Jericho hopes he can bring a Four Star Cup to a Prince George city that has long been thirsty for a championship. It's what the team wants, it's what he wants, and it's what his family would have wanted for him.