Rasmus Ristolainen, a prominent Finnish NHL player, recently discussed the ice quality at the practice rink in Milan following the Finnish national team's initial training session. He expressed a casual appraisal of the ice, saying, 'It is at least ice. I'm not sure if I can say it's good, but you can manage to work with it.' This frank commentary highlights the differences NHL players experience when transitioning to international competition environments, with variable ice conditions being one of them.

During his time discussing accommodations, Ristolainen noted that Finnish players are accustomed to luxury in the NHL but face a more communal living situation during the Olympics, where he is sharing a room with fellow player Mikko Rantanen. He jokingly remarked on the roommate situation, adding a light-hearted touch to the challenges athletes face when adapting to the Olympic village setup. Ristolainen emphasized his long-standing relationship with Rantanen, suggesting it makes the experience more enjoyable.

Ristolainen also brought along a PlayStation to the competition and expressed interest in finding time to play his favorite game, FIFA, in between practicing and training sessions. His comments reveal not only the personal side of athletes within the competitive atmosphere but also their attempt to maintain a sense of normalcy and connection to their interests, even when away from home and in a high-pressure environment like the Olympics.