Pittsburgh Review

After Joel Blomqvist's NHL debut victory in Detroit, the rookie goaltender was awarded the player of the game helmet. He addressed his teammates with a brief speech: “Dream come true to play for the Penguins, and first NHL game, thanks for helping me get the win.”

Blomqvist made 29 saves in a 6-3 win for Pittsburgh. Reflecting on this career milestone, he said, “Of course, it feels good. Maybe a little bit weird, because it's something you've always been dreaming about and looking forward to,” expressing satisfaction with his performance.

Evgeni Malkin praised Blomqvist’s play: “Wow, he's amazing. I mean, first NHL game, first NHL win – I just want to say keep going, work hard.” Malkin emphasized Blomqvist's effort and skill during the match.

The opportunity arose after Alex Nedeljkovic suffered a lower-body injury on September 28. With back-to-back games at the start of the season, Blomqvist's participation was likely. His parents managed to travel from Finland to Pittsburgh in time for his debut.

Anders Blomqvist shared their surprise at their son's call: “It came as a surprise for us on Sunday evening... Nina [a nurse] got it arranged it with her work.” They watched him play at PPG Paints Arena before traveling to Detroit.

Nina expressed pride in her son: “We are proud, yeah,” while Anders noted their nervousness during Joel’s performance. The young goaltender faced numerous shots early on but maintained composure.

Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan commended Blomqvist’s impact: “I thought he had a big impact on our ability to settle into the game... He was terrific.” Sullivan highlighted Blomqvist's progress since training camp and confidence in his abilities.

Blomqvist had an impressive professional season in North America prior to this debut. As a 2024 AHL All-Star with notable statistics and recognition on the AHL All-Rookie Team, Sullivan observed that "his game really evolved over the course of that season."

Joel recalled his initial interest in becoming a goalie due to admiration for their equipment. His mother Nina humorously recounted her reaction: “I was like, nooo!” despite ultimately supporting his passion alongside Anders.

Emil Blomqvist followed from Finland despite inconvenient timing due to time zones. Joel appreciated his family's sacrifices and support throughout his journey: “Since I was a kid... my parents... drove me to the rink.”