From Cambridge to Vancouver: Goaltender Aku Koskenvuo Transitions to the Canucks

Since skating for the first time, Aku Koskenvuo dreamed about gliding with the pros in the NHL. Being a draft prospect is exciting for any hockey player, but signing to one’s childhood team is an unmatched experience. Koskenvuo, a proud three year goaltender for Harvard, will be taking everything he learned with him to his next destination: the Vancouver Canucks.

‘Dream Come True’

On Mar. 18, Koskenvuo signed an entry level contract with the Canucks, in yet another change from playing at home in Espoo, Finland.

“It's gonna definitely be a new transition in my life again,” the NHL-bound goalie said.

From playing internationally in Finland to Division I in the United States, and now moving to Vancouver for professional hockey, Koskenvuo adds that, “just focusing on your own thing” has been key to him remaining present throughout his career, and will continue to center him as he moves forward.

The star goalie will also have no problem bringing his enthusiasm and excitement to the Canucks. Competing at the highest level has always been his primary aspiration.

“It's like one of those childhood dreams come true,” he said.

Through years of training at Canucks development camps, Koskenvuo has familiarized himself with other draftees, prospects, and the team’s staff. The opportunity to develop as a player alongside incredible talent is once in a lifetime, made even more rewarding by the privilege of representing multiple homes.

“There's always great pride when you get to represent your own country, be a Finn out in the big world,” he explained. “I’m trying to do my best to represent Finland and my family and friends as well as I can.”

Being from Harvard, too, has its own sense of pride. “There's so many incredible people at this school, and being able to represent a small part of that, trying to show Harvard student athletes what we are, and represent them well,” he said.

Koskenvuo protects the goal against RPI. By Chase W. McCann

‘A Great Honor’

During his career at Harvard, Koskenvuo developed significantly as a player. He attributed this to fellow goalkeepers Mitchell Gibson, Derek Mullahy and Ben Charette, who “taught me so much about the game.”

“It's just an honor being able to practice and compete with world class guys like them,” he added.

With a career average goals allowed of 2.91 and a save average of .905, Koskenvuo’s performance with the Crimson has been one of many successes.

The skills learned off the ice are as important — if not more valuable — than those taught in the rink. Being an athlete at Harvard requires discipline, hard work, and above all, perseverance.

“It's a great blessing, but also a challenge to be a student-athlete at Harvard, and really does push you to your limits.”

Koskenvuo highly valued the difficulty of balancing academics and athletics at an institution like Harvard.

“The lessons you learn as a student-athlete at Harvard, I don't think you can learn them from anywhere else,” he added.

However, it’s the lifelong friendships and memories in Cambridge that stand out most to Koskenvuo.

“Every time we win,” he explained. “All the boys rally up together, and we get into a huge pile. Everyone's just screaming and shouting and everyone's hyped. It's just such a great, exciting feeling winning a game. I think it's just the best feeling ever. That's the high you're chasing all the time. When all the boys get together you feel like you accomplish something together, as teammates, as brothers.”

Koskenvuo ended his time with the Crimson on a special note, with the team making it to the quarterfinals of the ECAC playoffs. The team fell to Clarkson in a nail-biting game 3, but the goaltender made spectacular saves and was a major source of strength for the team.

In his last collegiate games, he said it was simply “A great honor just being out with the guys.”

Koskenvuo skates off the ice at the Bright-Landry Hockey Center. By Assma Alrefai

Leaving a Legacy

While accomplishing a lifelong goal of playing professional hockey is an incredible feat, there is also a bittersweetness that comes with the transition. Koskenvuo acknowledged that saying goodbye to the Crimson is difficult, but that the growth he experienced as a person and the family-like bonds formed, has made for an incredible three years. Despite his early departure, the goalie wants to have a lasting impact on the program.

“I've hoped to maybe instill a hard work ethic. Come in every day, work your ass off,” he said. “And also, remember to smile out there, have fun.”

As he moves on to the Canucks, Aku Koskenvuo expressed gratitude to everyone who has gotten him to this point. His time at Harvard will remain special to him for many reasons, but above all he maintains that he’s “grateful for everything the team has done for me, and the opportunity that it has given me.”

—Staff writer Bianca M. Egan can be reached at bianca.egan@thecrimson.com.