”I am a lover not a fighter.”

“I am so proud. Last week I bought my first own book. It is in English too. I even understand what is happening in it.”

According to the stereotype, Finnish people sit around in saunas all day and beat each other with birch sticks while downing numerous glasses of homebrewed vodka. They are also supposed to be naturally platinum blonde, a la famous Finnish violin player Linda Brava, and often sit in silent procrastination. When meeting chatty Tino Sandhu in a sunny Surfer’s Paradise to talk about his ice hockey career, it is hard to hold on to any such prejudices.

He was born in Helsinki, but considers the west coast city of Pori as home. In Pori, ice hockey is religion and the local team Ässät Pori is in the top Finnish league, one of the world’s best ice hockey leagues. Tino started playing when one of his two brothers did and never took off the skates. Today, 18 years later, he has played in Finland’s second highest league and signed with the Blue Tongues this season.

“The level is a little bit lower than the one I played in back in Finland. But there are a few good guys. When we play over here it is not a lot of worries. It is serious, but not as serious. More free over here. I like it.” says Tino.

He heard about the Australian Ice Hockey League (AIHL) from his friend Ari Pekka Hakala, who played for Canberra Knights a couple of seasons ago. Just like many other imported players, Tino has fallen in love with the laid back lifestyle Australia offers.
“I love it. Lifestyle, sun, the beach and the people. They are open minded and social over here; even though they don’t know you they come and talk to you.” he says.

On the ice, he is a technical all round player. Tino emphasized the importance of putting the team ahead of himself.
“It doesn’t matter if I am the one to score if our team is winning. I don’t drop my gloves, but of course I play hard. I want to play hockey, and if I drop my gloves they would kick me out of the rink. I am a lover not a fighter.”

Tino is an ice hockey player down to the bone. When the season ends in the southern hemisphere he moves to the northern to keep playing.
“I have a contract for the upcoming season at home, which starts in August. I want to come back here because now I know what the lifestyle is like and that life is easy over here. I don’t do hockey for living, I do it because I love playing. I love going to the rink to play hockey, have fun and hang out with friends.” He says.

Henrik Ivarsson about Tino
He is a technical player with a good shot. He is a great guy who is always happy. He always uses two sentences: “I like it” and “check it out.”