| Ville Nieminen, who finished
last season's playoffs as the Avs' rookie leader in goals and assists,
said Forsberg told his teammates he will not play again the entire season.
''That's what he told us before practice (Saturday),'' Nieminen said. "We were shocked. I watched Peter. He looked very good on the ice. I thought he was ready for the season. "But it's hard to see inside the guy. Peter is a big competitor. He always wants to play 100 percent. Nothing else is good enough for him. We truly believe that he's doing the right thing.'' Asked if he thought Forsberg
would play for Sweden in the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Nieminen
said, "As a Finnish guy I hope he doesn't, but as
a teammate and friend I hope he's going to recover his health and be ready
for Christmas or whenever he starts to feel like it's time to come back.''
---------------------------
[September 2001 : Before
the tragic events of Sept. 11 took place, the Avs were supposed to spend
some time in Sweden and in Finland. Finally they just played one game in
Sweden and flew back to Denver. Few days before, Ville brought the Cup
to his home town, Tampere.]
The Avalanche appearance in Finland also is a hot ticket, and the Avs' second-year winger, Ville Nieminen, now is solidly installed as the banger on the Forsberg-centered line. They periodically tease each other about national origins -- including past wars and hockey results -- but are complementary players. [...] Nieminen's turn with the
Cup was last week in Tampere, and he took the trophy to the grave of his
father, Esa, who died four years ago; to the hospital to visit a family
friend who has been diagnosed with leukemia; to the dedication of a local
hockey museum; and then to the local sports pub for a visit with his friends.
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