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By Alyssa Hollenback
 

Hockey players are busy; it’s a fact of life. There are early morning practices, late night games and weekend tournaments. Professional players are even busier; NHL players practically live out of their suitcases, spending 41 of their 82 games on the road. Many are married and raising families, and in their “free time” they attend promotional and community events. In the midst of the hustle and bustle, it can be difficult to get back to the basics and remember how a player began to love the game in the first place. In his spare time, Minnesota Wild center Mikael Granlund, has worked to develop and promote a new product to help players practice where the love of hockey often begins - in the backyard.

If you attended the Let’s Play Hockey Expo a few weeks ago, you may have noticed the ACON booth. The Expo served as ACON’s launch into the United States and Canada. ACON Finland was founded in 1996 by Finland native Tarmo Sallinen.

“The company began by importing trampolines into Finland,” Sallinen said. “At the time, there were no producers of trampolines in Finland and I wanted to establish a way to make the equipment available in my country and the surrounding region.”

After completing this goal, the company expanded in hopes of offering a variety of products that encourage kids to get outside and be active with their friends.

“Over the years, ACON Finland has expanded into a manufacturing company, with an emphasis on providing products to get kids playing games,” Sallinen said.

ACON’s current line of products includes trampolines, swimming pools, basketball hoops, wooden swingsets and now hockey and floorball equipment. Before the Expo, ACON distributed their products through brick and mortar stores in Finland. But after expanding to sporting goods stores and reaching Finland, Sweden and the Baltic region, ACON set their sights on North America – and what better way to capture hearts than with a line of hockey training equipment.

The ACON Wave, named after Granlund, a co-developer, is ACON’s newest product. The product name itself is a nod to Granlund’s famous goal during Finland’s 2011 IIHF semifinal game against Russia. The game was scoreless early into the second period when the teams set for a faceoff to the left of the Russia net. Off the draw, the puck rolled into the corner and Granlund raced behind the goal. In one sweeping motion, he scooped the puck onto the blade of his stick, came around the net and swung it into the goal – a distinctly lacrosse-style move. This stunned Konstantin Barulin and brought Finland into a 1-0 lead.

Finland went on to win the game and the world championship, but even after the tournament came to a close, fans and media were buzzing about the semifinal goal, a move that became distinctly known as ‘the wave.’ Kids around Finland (and worldwide) began practicing the move made famous by Granlund. Big goals in international competition can earn a player a fair amount of celebrity and for Granlund that was no different – his incredible goal even landed him a spot on a Finnish postal stamp. With his famous move “stamped” into history, the developers at ACON knew that he would be the perfect face of the new line of hockey training equipment.

“About three years ago, we approached Mikael with an idea,” ACON Chief Marketing Operator Tom Harding said. “We hoped to work together to create a product that allows players to practice in their backyards, where many young players began playing hockey.”

 

The whole idea of making the equipment accessible and portable enough to be played in a backyard really stemmed from Granlund’s early experiences playing hockey in Finland.

“Things are not quite as organized in Finland as they are here in the U.S.,” Granlund said. “Without the same structure, it was normal for kids to play hockey outdoors after class. We practiced in our backyards and in the streets, that’s where the idea came from.

“Tarmo and the team at ACON had an idea when they approached me but we worked together to develop and refine it. I was excited to be a part of the product and could relate to the idea of being able to practice in your backyard or basement, especially during the winter months.”

One of the unique features of ACON is the ability to use the products even with limited space constraints. The ACON Wave product line includes shooting pads, goalkeepers and backstop netting to allow players to shoot hard shots with no compromise to the goal posts or nets.

“We designed the line to be self encompassing,” Granlund said. “You don’t need a lot of space to use them and you don’t need a whole set of additional equipment to make it challenging.”

The market is flooded with training products but Granlund assures that the Wave sets itself apart.

“These products can really help hockey players. I can’t imagine a better way to practice shooting. Unlike other products out there, our nets and goals are made of durable materials and we have a warranty on them as well. The goalkeepers even allow players to practice those tricky shots that you see professional players do.”

Granlund continues to be a driving force in the marketing of the ACON Wave line.

“Given my schedule, I try to help out as much as I can. I have trust in the work of my partners at ACON and know that the production is going well.”

In terms of timeframe for when you can get your hands on these products, ACON is currently accepting pre-orders on the Wave line, which is expected to ship this spring. Chief Operations Officer Steve Kiviahde encourages players to investigate the products and how they can aid in development.

“If you didn’t have a chance to try out the equipment at the Expo, we will be hosting several events this summer where kids can come out and see what we are all about.”

If you are interested, Kiviahde suggests checking out the company’s Facebook page or visiting their website www.Acon24.com.

Whether or not the equipment itself piques your interest, the goal of getting kids out to practice hockey with their friends is certainly something that should resonate throughout the hockey community. Sometimes stepping outside of the busy schedule of games and practices can take playersback to the basics, where love of the game really began.

Granlund puts it this way: “I’m in the position I am right now because of the ability to practice and play outdoor games like this. We want kids to have the same opportunity to enjoy the game with their friends.”