Jokerit's new star Patrick Curry sends a message to HIFK: 'It's already in the calendar'

Patrick Curry, Jokerit's highly anticipated star signing, made an immediate impact in his debut at the Pitsiturnaus, scoring the only goal in a 1-0 victory against Sport. Curry played with relentless energy and passion on Jokerit's top line, creating chances, causing disruption, and delivering hard checks. He emphasized his commitment to playing with intense emotion, aiming to impress the Jokerit fans from the outset.

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I only know how to play one way, with a lot of emotion. I wanted to make a good first impression on the Jokerit fans.

Curry sealed the win with a clinical penalty shot in the shootout, leaving a strong impression on the team's supporters. Despite acknowledging the challenging ice conditions due to the arena's doors being frequently opened, Curry expressed his excitement to be back playing and found the high tempo of the game a valuable preparation for the upcoming regular season.

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The hall was quite warm, as the doors are constantly opening and closing, so the ice is not in the best possible condition, but it's great to be playing again. The tempo was high right away, and this is a good way to prepare for the regular season. A really great event.

Jokerit is placing considerable expectations on Curry for the upcoming SM-liiga season. The fiery forward was a key player for KalPa, breaking into the league's elite during his first season with 60 points and contributing significantly to their championship win. Last season, he recorded 41 points in 44 games.

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I actually like it. I don't think of it as pressure but as an opportunity. An opportunity to help the club get back to where it wants to be.

Curry, who is reportedly earning a substantial salary with Jokerit, embraces the high expectations. He views them not as pressure but as an opportunity to help the club achieve its goals. While acknowledging that others might discuss the expectations more, Curry remains focused on his own performance and understanding what is required for success. He is eager to build chemistry with linemates Teemu Turunen and Alexander Forslund, praising their intelligence and playmaking abilities.

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People around will surely talk about it more, but I don't pay much attention to it. I know myself what I need to do to succeed.