Kaunisto talks camp, social media

It’s becoming more and more common for pro athletes to share their thoughts 140 characters at a time through Twitter — in instance, you can say hello to @DustinBrown23, @JonathanQuick32 and @MRichie18, to name three — but Kings prospect Ray Kaunisto is taking it a step further. Not only does Kaunisto maintain an entertaining Twitter stream (@RayK71) but he has also started in his own blog — http://raykaunisto.blogspot.com — in which he shares his thoughts about his life and career. Kaunisto was signed by the Kings in March 2010 after a four-year career at Northern Michigan University. Last season, with Manchester in the AHL, Kaunisto totaled eight goals and six assists in 57 games with the Monarchs. Kaunisto, 24, said he intends to write a regular blog for the Monarchs’ website this season if he is part of that team. Here’s what Kaunisto said this week about his development-camp experience and his social-media savvy…

Question: What made you want to get into the whole Twitter and blogging thing?

KAUNISTO: “I’m kind of into computers a little bit, as dorky as that sounds. I built a website for one of my buddies, and I’ve had Twitter for a little bit. I started by just messing around with the boys and with my brother and my friends back home, but I like it. People get to talk to me and I get to talk back with everybody. It keeps me busy on my phone.”

Question: Do you ever find yourself having to hold back a little bit in what you say?

KAUNISTO: “You do have to hold back a little bit. There are some things that can’t be said, that would be overdoing it a little bit. Also, I try to keep it clean with the swearing and stuff. Sometimes it slips.”

Question: What is the attraction for you? To have that sort of personal connection with fans?

KAUNISTO: “It’s fun to have a relationship with everybody out there. A lot of times people can’t connect with athletes that they like. If I get the chance to play in the NHL, I think it would be cool that people could talk to me and I could say stuff back about what’s going on, more of the inside aspect of what’s going on in pro hockey.”

Question: This is your second time back at a camp like this. Does it feel a little easier this time?

KAUNISTO: “When I started out, two summers ago, I was in training camp with Detroit and then last summer I was here at development camp. So I kind of know what is going on and I know the systems here, so it’s a little bit easier. I’m not as nervous as I was when I was first coming into L.A.’s organization. I’m the oldest guy here, I think, so I feel a little more laid-back and comfortable with everybody here.”

Question: And you know the coaches and what they’re looking for, and all that, so it must be a little easier…

KAUNISTO: “Yeah, I know all the coaches, and Terry and Dean and my coaches from Manchester, Mark Morris and Scott Pellerin, and Hubie McDonaugh is here. And I know all the trainers, so it makes it a lot more comfortable. I’m not nervous here at development camp. I’m just trying to get better right now.”

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