Juha Ylönen: 'The first goal is always a nice goal'

MONTREAL -- Juha Ylönen didn't catch his son's first career NHL goal in real time, but he has a pretty good excuse.

It was approximately 3:30 a.m. in Finland when Jesse blasted a slap shot past Penguins goaltender Tristan Jarry late in the second period at PPG Paints Arena on December 14, and the former Coyotes, Lightning and Senators forward was still sound asleep.

He was probably a little overtired from watching Jesse's two previous games against the Blackhawks and Blues live in the middle of the night.
But, when Juha woke up a short time later, his wife, Minna, was eager to share the exciting news before heading to work.
"It was still early, maybe six or seven o'clock in the morning when she told me that Jesse scored," recalled Ylönen, 49, who resides in Espoo, about 20 km west of Helsinki. "I watched the game afterwards."

His first glimpse of Jesse's snipe, however, came courtesy of a text message from his colleague, Ian Pulver, a player agent and founder of The Will Sports Group (WSG).
Ylönen is a player agent, too, and the co-founder of WSG Finland.
"It was a nice goal. The first goal is always a nice goal," said Ylönen. "I'm happy Jesse scored pretty soon after he started playing with Montreal."
While Jesse lit the lamp just four games into his NHL career, Juha took a little longer to accomplish the feat back in March 1998, scoring in his 53rd appearance with Phoenix.
The elder Ylönen isn't jealous that Jesse has bragging rights in that department now, though.
"My first goal was really nice, but it took too many games," cracked Ylönen, referencing his short-handed marker versus the Hurricanes. "That's been a joke for a long time already, just how long it took for me to score. Jesse was much faster. He can score. He's a better goal scorer than I was when I played."

Ylönen took tremendous pride in the tally itself, but seeing Jesse steadily develop and hold his own against the best of the best is the real reward.
He pays close attention to the finer details of his son's overall performance.
"For me, it's good to see that he can play in that league. It's the toughest league, no question. There is no other league even close to that," insisted Ylönen, who played 341 NHL games over six seasons. "I'm really proud that he can play there and that he's getting better."
The COVID-19 pandemic has prevented Juha from travelling to Montreal to see Jesse play for the Canadiens, so he's chomping at the bit for the chance.
As enjoyable as following his games from afar might be, nothing compares to being there in person.
"I hope I can come this season, but let's see. I hope they keep playing," said Ylönen. "It will be awesome to see him. That's been his dream from when he started playing hockey, and I've been working closely with him. That will be a big moment for me, too."

In the meantime, Juha wishes Jesse an extended stay with the CH and all the success in the world.
"I hope he can play more games with Montreal this year. I know when he's playing his best, he can play in the NHL," concluded Ylönen. "I hope his development keeps getting better as a hockey player, as a teammate, and as a person, and one day he can play in the NHL as a regular player."