University of Minnesota Athletics
Mira Jalosuo Feature
1/25/2012 12:00:00 AM | Women's Hockey
Jan. 25, 2012
Story by Josh Brennock
Gopher defenseman Mira Jalosuo started playing the game of hockey late compared to other collegiate players, but she fell in love with the game and rapidly became one of the best players in Finland.
Jalosuo hails from the town of Lieksa, Finland. It is a city is known for fishing and hunting, but it provided the backdrop for Mira to develop a passion for the game of hockey. "I was around 12 when I started playing hockey outdoors with boys and I thought it would be a good idea to join a team, I loved it immediately."
By the age of 14, Mira was participating at the Finnish Under-22 Camp where she first meet current Gopher goalie Noora Räty. Now, the two of them have become best friends and Mira enjoys being able to connect with her Finnish culture while she is in the United States. "It is great that Noora is here because when I get tired of speaking in English it is nice to be able to talk with her in Finnish." Just like anyone adapting to a new culture, Mira admits she misses her family and friends back in Finland, having Noora on the team provides Mira with some comfort.
Mira played for a club team in Finland and she realized quickly that there was an opportunity to play college hockey in the United States. "During my first year of high school a few of my friends committed to play college hockey over (in the United States) and the next year, I was sure I wanted to play (in the United States) because I heard it was the best league in the world."
Jalosuo had plenty of quality collegiate programs that wanted her talents on their team. Mira visited Duluth, Ohio State and Providence, but says she knew that the Gophers were the team for her. "I loved it here. I just liked the way the Gophers played when I saw them play against Duluth on my visit."
One might assume based on their previous friendship that Mira and Noora decided together to don the maroon and gold, but as Mira explains they each settled on the Gophers independently. "It was kind of funny, when we got back to Finland (after the recruiting trip), Noora's Dad asked both of us if we knew were we wanted to go. We both said yes, but neither of us knew where the other wanted to go yet."
Mira has found a home in Minneapolis. She has stayed very busy, but has found college life easier than she anticipated. "I love college, freshman year was easier than I thought it was going to be, but now it is getting a little bit tougher." She enjoys hanging out with her teammates away from the rink. "I love being around my teammates, we usually watch movies or play games together."
Jalosuo puts in the time in the classroom. She is a chemistry major who was a WCHA-All Academic Team selection last season. "I have always been interested in figuring out crimes. If I continue to love it, I know that I want to work at a crime lab in Finland." Mira worked at a crime lab in Minneapolis over the holidays.
Jalosuo has represented Finland on a number of occasions and she believes that playing college hockey is the closest thing to playing in elite international competition. "Games against the USA and Canada are great. I would compare college games to when we play Sweden."
During international competition, Mira has had the opportunity to challenge some of her current Gopher teammates. Finland is usually the underdog when they meet the United States, but that doesn't stop Jalosuo from getting up for the test of shutting down her fellow Gophers. "I know where (my Gopher teammates) are on the ice and I know what they like to do offensively. My goal is to make sure (Amanda) Kessel and (Jen) Schoullis do not score when I am on the ice."
Mira has been a key contributor for the Gophers on the ice since day one. She is part of the Gopher's tremendous depth on the blue line and says that it brings out the best in her, even in practice. "In every practice I want to be the best defenseman on the ice." Jalosuo says her biggest strength is the way she reads the ice during the game.
