Ferencváros has been on a streak of lately this past match week they upset league leaders Diósgyőr, which they followed up with a big win against rivals Dunaújváros in a fight for a playoff spot. Arguably the biggest reason for the two wins was Marko Luomala who had three goals and two assists, because of this he is this week’s Player of the Week.
The former Finnish national team player has only joined Ferencváros recently however with his addition the team now has two solid scoring lines. He is joined by countryman Joona Manninen and Canadian Jereme Tendler on the first line of Ferencváros. Marko comes from Vaasa Finland and played his junior seasons for Sport and JYP. He spent most of his professional career in the Liiga with Ilves, Lukko and Assat. Last season he spent part of the season in Italy before starting the 2015-2016 season in England playing for the Milton Keynes Lightning.
During his career in Finland Marko played with a couple of players that might be familiar to Hungarian hockey fans. Tommi Satorassi and Marko were teammates in Ilves in 2002-03, during the NHL lockout Tuuka Rask, former Fehérvár player Juha Alen were also on the Ives roster and a year later another former Fehérvár player Jason Guerriero joined the team. Marko took time out of his New Years Eve celebration to answer some questions for icehockey.hu
What is your initial impression about the MOL League?
I didn't know much about the MOL League but seems like they can play good hockey here, I really like it.
What will Ferencváros need to do during the last part of the season to make the playoffs?
Right now we are playing real good hockey, we have won the last three games so we just have to keep on going. We have huge game on the 1st of January and hopefully we will start the new year with three points. I think we have all tools to make it to the playoffs.
What was it like to play with a number of NHL players, including Tuuka Rask?
It is great to watch some NHL highlights and to think of some of those old teammates and what they are doing these days.
Was the transition to Ferencváros and the city of Budapest easier because of the number of Scandinavian players with the club?
Yes I was talking with Juha Hietamaki before I came here, and he was saying that I should come here since it is a nice city and really professional team they will take care of everything. Of course it helps a lot when you have Scandinavian players and a coach.