CHICAGO - Appetite is important. And not only in an all-you-can-eat buffet line.
"This,'' praised Tod Button of Tri-City Americans' cornerstone defenceman Juuso Valimaki, "is an explosive guy who has a big, big desire to change games. He wants to get up ice, he wants to make plays, he wants to get involved with the offence.
"Like most kids, he makes mistakes. But for every mistake he makes, he makes 25-30 good plays ups the ice. You don't need to light a fire under this kid, believe me.
"What's impressive is his will.
"He's happy to take on responsibility. He wants to make a difference. Every shift."