SALT LAKE CITY – Perhaps the greatest crossover of Lauri Markkanen’s career took place recently as the Utah Jazz star strapped on his goalie gear and hockey skates in a recent Instagram video.
A native of Finland, hockey was always a part of Markkanen’s childhood as he grew up watching the sport and even played with his friends for fun.
Now sharing the Delta Center with an NHL team that calls Utah home, Markkanen has fully embraced the sport as he took the ice recently in a full set of goalie gear.
Standing roughly 7’1, 7’2 on his skates, Markkanen was impressive between the pipes as he approached shooters with a strong stance, was quick to react and even made a few notable glove saves.
“Thanks to the whole crew, really fun experience to play with the guys 🌪️ Special thanks to @peki_on_muuri & @swheimo for organizing and coaching!” Markkanen wrote on his Instagram post.
While this was the first time Markkanen showed off his netminding skills, fans got a taste of the power forward on skates last year as the Jazz star delivered the ceremonial puck drop for the Utah Mammoth’s inaugural game to Ryan and Ashley Smith.
“I felt like a little kid skating out into an NHL arena,” Markkanen said. “I couldn’t even dream about that.”
Throughout the season, Markkanen often returned to Delta Center for Mammoth home games as he too relished the NHL in Salt Lake City.
“The city and the state are ready for hockey,” he said following the inaugural game. “It’s going to take some time to get to know all the players and learn them, but I think that was a really fun atmosphere.”
