Dominik Vangorik moved from Slovakia to Nokia because of the hockey
The Slovakian center admits that he loves hockey a lot, but sometimes it also frustrates him. "I realize that I have to work hard to achieve my dream."

Dominik Vangorik loves snow! “There’s not as much snow in Slovakia in winter as in Finland.” In summer, Vangorik enjoys the warmth and bright evenings. “Why does it get dark so early at the end of the year,” Vangorik asks.
One email brought an interesting twist, not only in the life of 16-year-old Dominik Vangorik, but also in one of the Hockey Club Nokia’s ice hockey team. “In the summer 2023, I wrote a message to several different Finnish hockey clubs, expressing my desire to come and show my skills and possibly gain a position in the team.”
HC Nokia was the first to respond, and since then, the amazing Slovakian center #18 has been our joy.
Head coach Janne Vesa has been able to follow Vangorik’s development closely.
“Domi is like a professional player. He brings athleticism, does everything he is asked to do and a little more. He didn’t come here just for fun. He has a strong desire to learn.”

"Dominik also challenges me as a coach, and not only with by English skills . He's a really nice guy," praises head coach Janne Vesa.
First Vangorik relocated to Nokia with his father, but he has lived by himself for the last six months. “My parents have been really supportive. I call them several times a week.”
Vangorik started playing hockey when he was 3 years old.
“One day my dad just said, ‘Let’s go play hockey,’ and that’s how it started,” recalls Vangorik, who played several years in the Slovakian team HK Martin.
A future profession?
The Slovakian center admits that he loves hockey a lot, but sometimes it also frustrates him.
“I want to continue playing hockey, even on a scale where it would be my profession. In the future, my place of residence could be in Germany or in Switzerland, Sweden or Finland. I realize that I have to work hard for that dream.”

Living alone is not boring for Vangorik, but it does oblige him a lot – he has to do everything by himself. “I would like to be tidy, but I’m not, so I have to clean all the time.” Vangorik admits that he sometimes gets homesick, but fortunately his father has travelled to Finland from time to time and he has been able to keep in touch with his loved ones in many different ways. “I’ve now been able to try my wings on my own, but my mother hasn’t been very happy about it. This year my older sister also moved to Finland.”
Vangorik’s idea to play in Finland did not start out of nowhere: His older sister has lived in Finland for her studies. His sister is now studying in Kuopio.
“It’s a bit easier when you’re in the same country, even though we’re still far apart.”
What did Vangorik know about Finland before coming here?
“Santa Claus, lots of snow and cold winters. Ah, I love snow!”
What’s wrong with you Finns?
On the other hand, Vangorik doesn’t care about mosquitoes, but another summer phenomenon causes great confusion in “Domi”.
“Why do Finns mow the lawn so often?”
What comes to food, Vangorik admits that he prefers Slovak cuisine.
“Finnish smoked salmon is delicious. And Finnish chocolate, I love that!”
Strong Finnish flavors and special treats don’t get such good reviews:
“I don’t understand why someone would eat rye bread. Salmiakki is confusing: what the hell is that? What’s wrong with you Finns?”

Vangorik is excited about the heavier training. “I feel that it has the biggest impact on my development as a player.”
Dominik Vangorik
- 16-year-old student.
- Hometown: Turčianske Teplice, Slovakia, lived in Nokia for a year and a half.
- Plays ice hockey for HC Nokia's U18 Academy team.
- Family: parents and older sister, grandparents and lots of cousins.
- Dating.
- Instagram: @vangor.18
"It's boring to study alone"
Last year, Vangorik spent a short period in a Finnish school and was in the same class with several hockey team mates.
“In Slovakia, there are more difficult subjects, so Finnish lessons were too easy for me.”
Currently, Vangorik is attending a Slovak gymnasium remotely. A lot of the material comes in advance and in video format.
"There are also books, but they are boring to read. I also miss a proper school environment, even though many Slovak friends think I am living the best time of my life. It is a bit boring to study alone in a different country," says Vangorik, who may be aiming for a career in the IT sector in the future.

According to the head coach, Vangorik's arrival in the team has brought a lot of new and good things, especially from outside the box, so to speak. "Dominik has been a perfect fit in the team and he has brought a nice extra level of demand. You have to take good care of such a young person."
Like a professional player
Head coach Janne Vesa has been able to follow Vangorik's development as a hockey player closely.
"Domi is like a professional player. He brings athleticism, does everything he is asked to do and a little more. He hasn't come here to play around. He has a strong desire to learn."
Vangorik's attitude has also been sticking on the other players. Similarly, recalling the English language has been more than necessary, also for the coaches.
"He has progressed tremendously in the last 18 months, especially on the physical side."

Home games are important to Vangorik. “It’s nice when the little guys come to cheer. There should be more and louder fans.” English has been the main language, although both the Finns and Domi himself have been afraid all the time that they might say something stupid. “Speak English more boldly, because you do know how to do it. Luckily there are translation programs.”
Vesa describes the Slovak's strengths as his willpower and desire to win the games.
"He is a very good team player."
Instead, Vesa sees room for development in his physical side and skating technique.
"Dominik would have even more potential if he invested in his physical side and skating skills: when they are in order, he will gain much more space on the ice, which enables him to do whatever he wants there."
Vesa knows that there would definitely be more young foreign hockey players like Vangorik. “The downside is that they would take playing positions away from our own juniors.”

Why did you sent an email to Finnish clubs in particular? His answer comes in the blink of an eye. “Because of the hockey. You play great hockey here! When I arrived, I had to decide, which team I should support, Ilves or Tappara. I chose Ilves.”
Ďakujem Dominik!
What would Dominik Vangorik, who has seen and experienced a lot, say to a young hockey player like him who is wondering if it would be worth trying to play abroad?
“You shouldn’t be too afraid, because this is not as difficult as many people would think. You should enjoy it!”
Vangorik would like to thank the adults and teammates on the team who have helped him. “I have received a lot of help and love, even though we haven’t had a common language!”
Over the past year and a half, Dominik “DomDom, Domi” Vangorik has been a tremendous addition to the team.
However, it is now time to move on.
Ďakujem Dominik! <3
Photos: Jyri Tuomaala
Text: Outi Suoranta