Riku Helenius played one memorable season with the T-Birds in 2007-2008. He recorded a record of 22-12-6. 3 shutouts and a .915 save percentage. Since then, he's logged time in net for a number of teams in the AHL and the ECHL. He's on the preseason roster for Tampa Bay and will most likely play out the regular season with th Norfolk Admirals.

But ask Riku about his experience in Seattle and you'll learn about much more than hockey, as I discovered when I chatted with him for a few minutes after the Lightning wrapped up practice this afternoon.

Riku Helenius/Photo Courtesy: Tampa Bay Lightning

KING 5: What do you remember about your time in Seattle?
RH: It was great to be here. I had a lot of fun. It's a great organization, great people and players. I had a real blast that year. My billets were awesome. Everything worked out really great. They took care of me from Day One.

KING 5: You came here from Finland to play in Seattle. What made you decide to come play here?
RH: When I got drafted in '06, I hurt my shoulder really badly right after that so I missed the next whole season. They offered me this chance to come over and play here and they play a lot of games here. Teams play a lot more here than back in Europe. They offered me this chance and I took it and it was the best thing I've done so far.

KING 5: What's the difference in the style of play in Finland and here, aside from more games?
RH: The game's a little bit faster here, maybe a little more simple. There are a lot of straight shots coming down the ice at the net, a lot more traffic around the net, so, those are the biggest things. In Europe there's more passing across the ice and there's more straight to the net in shots so I think those are things that are different.

KING 5: Tampa Bay fans aren't too familiar with you. Can you describe your style of play?
RH: I'm a butterfly goalie, like most of the goalies nowadays. I try to keep it pretty simple.

KING 5: How has training camp been for you?
RH: It's been pretty good- it's been a lot of fun so far. It's a great atmosphere. Those older guys, they take you into the group and treat you really nice so it's been a good time so far.

KING 5: You've been going to a lot of small arenas to play. How has that been? Does it remind you of your days in the WHL?
RH: A little bit. In the year I played at Seattle, we didn't do the Saskatchewan trip that year, so I didn't have the chance to play in Regina in my year, so it was really nice to see that rink. It's really fun. It's good old Canadian Western Hockey League down there. It's been really nice to see the places.

KING 5: What goals do you have for this coming season?
RH: I think most of the year, I'm going to be in the American Hockey League- that's where I'm going to start, so the biggest thing is to be consistent, just play a high level every night when I get the chance to play so I think that's the biggest thing, playing a high level every night. Because if you want to play in the NHL, that's what you have to do.

Riku Helenius (Photo: Su Ring)

Last season, Riku split his time between five teams, including a very brief, one-game stint with the Lightning. The fact that he's set to spend most of this season with one team, the Norfolk Admirals, should help Riku gain the consistency he craves, plus the chance to play at a high level, night after night. Hopefully, we will also see Riku back in Tampa Bay's lineup for more than one game this season.