In Your Face!

"I know how well I've played if the other guys don't like me very much" -Ville Nieminen September 13, 2004 NHLPA website

When it comes to gauging his own on-ice performance, NHLPA member Ville Nieminen has a simple formula...the more he's despised, the more effective he is. 

For most players, self-assessment is usually cut and dry. If you're an offensively gifted player, the number of points you contribute is the likely barometer. A physical contributor might measure success by checks delivered or how their rivals fared when they were on the ice against them. 

When it comes to Nieminen, Calgary 's feisty Finn forward, a sound solo effort is crafted through creating havoc for anyone not wearing the same colour uniform. 

And by judging by his efforts since coming to Alberta , Nieminen, a welcome member on Team Finland at the World Cup of Hockey, has plenty of reasons to smile. 

“I know how well I've played if the other guys don't like me very much,” said Nieminen, who came to Calgary courtesy of a trade with Chicago for Jason Morgan and a conditional draft pick, on February 24, 2004. “I know what I have to do out there to make a difference. Sometimes you have to pay the price for it.” 

Throughout Calgary 's spirited post-season run, several players stepped up to the fore, delivering the best hockey of their career. Jarome Iginla, for one, has been pegged, on more than a few occasions, as the world's best player for what he delivered in the playoffs. Mikka Kiprussof was a saving grace several times over, coming up with clutch saves at the crucial moments. 

Realistically, you could pick just about anyone on the Flames – Robyn Regehr, Martin Gelinas, Jordan Leopold, Craig Conroy, just to name a few – who played a prominent and dominant role on the Western Conference club in 2003-04. 

Though he might not score as often as the captain, or crunch the opposition as much as Chris Simon, Nieminen, who, not surprisingly, lists fellow Finn and notorious agitator Esa Tikkanen as his idol, very much deserves the same top billing afforded to his mates. 

While there's no mistaking his intentions when he takes a shift, riling his rivals is far from his only objective. In fact, the native of Tampere , drafted 78 th overall in 1997 ( Colorado ) can pretty much do it all when he's on the ice. 

Whether it's handing out solid checks, buzzing around the front of the crease, or netting a late-game goal, Nieminen is a blue-collar specialist, one of the big reasons he's become a fan favourite since arriving on the scene in Calgary . 

He's also a favourite of those opinions who count most…his teammates. 

“You definitely want to play with him rather than against him,” said Flames forward Shean Donovan. “He's a very good player, the type of guy who can do a bit of everything when he's out there. He knows how to make a difference.” 

But it doesn't come without its perils, namely having just about everyone not wearing a Calgary jersey trying to knock Nieminen off his skates. 

No worries, says the left-winger, sporting a big smile. 

“When you play hard, everything good happens,” said Nieminen, who won a Stanley Cup with Colorado in 2001, his rookie season. “Everything starts from there.” 

And as he's shown in the past, Nieminen is built for post-season play. In Colorado 's championship season three years ago, he played in all 23 playoff games with the Avalanche en route to the Cup. Nieminen led all rookies that season in playoff points (10), goals (4), assists (6), power play goals (3), power play points (4), shots (39) and games played (23). 

Not too shabby for a forward who usually makes a statement in other ways. 

After stints with Pittsburgh and Chicago , it appears Nieminen has found a home in Calgary , a team defined by their tireless work ethic and physical style. Just the type of environment suited for the 210-pounder's bump-and-grind approach. 

At 27, the winger, with just under 300 games of NHL experience to his name, has plenty of years left in a career that holds great promise. 

When recently asked if Finnish players pride themselves on a certain aspect of the game such as scoring or skating, Nieminen's answer provided great insight into his hockey philosophy. 

“Scoring no,” he said. “But skating ability is one thing. Finnish guys are very good team players, too.” 

Something his teammates have already discovered and certainly appreciate.