EDMONTON, AB - It's no secret. Almost any photo or highlight of Jesse Puljujarvi features one consistent and unique quirk - his tongue is hanging out.

"That's my thing, I don't know why I do it," said Puljujarvi.

The smiling 19-year-old Finnish winger has nine goals this season and continues to make strides in his development. He's coming off a three-point night against Vancouver, but most of the talk Monday after practice centred around that tongue of his.

"Everyone has their own looks or habits or whatever you might want to call them, but there's no rhyme or reason for it. It's just what he does," said Head Coach Todd McLellan.

Despite having always played the game with his tongue out, Puljujarvi has yet to have an injury from taking a stick or puck to it.

"Not yet, I wait," he said jokingly.

"It's a dangerous thing with the teeth, tongue, mouth, lips, but I'm sure not going to work with him and force him to keep it in his mouth," said McLellan. "It's a unique thing."

Unique and fun - It's just his thing.