Vase Trikamaki

Vase Traikamaki (July 20th, 1985) is a retired Finnish professional ice hockey goaltender who played for the New York Americans and the Helsinki Titans of the Victory Hockey League between Season 11 and Season 16. Vase won one Continental Cup with the Americans in Season 14, before being traded to Helsinki as part of the New York team's inevitable rebuilding process.

Early Life
Vase was born in Turku, Finland in the summer of 1985. He began playing hockey at the age of six in his backyard. He was, due to his stellar vision, always the goaltender and was able to stop boys sometimes double his age. He started playing organized hockey at the age of ten and from that point forward, was looked upon as a prospect for the VHL. Despite being only 13 years old at the time, Trikamaki signed a letter, saying he would play in the VHL when he turned 18. Much controversy was made over this as many saw the move as an illegal gesture by a professional hockey league to lure barely teenagers into their league. However, as it is not illegal in Finland, there was really nothing anyone could do.

Paying his Dues; time in the VHLM
Like most goalies, Tikamaki spent time in the VHLM, the leagues minors system.