Prospect Info: Finland wjc captain and alternate

[budzz]

After the last few playoffs it was pretty apparent the Leafs needed more 'Finnish'.

delete

 

[Kelly]

Surprised ya'll are cheering for Finland because of the prospects and not because of Leaf Legend Aki Berg.

Go Aki Go.

In all seriousness, I love watching our prospects do well, and if Canada gets knocked out early my allegiances will change to Finland. But for now, Canada allllllday errryday.

 

[The Iceman]

Yeah I remember Kapanen scoring that goal at the WJC, that was cool!

The WJC isn't necessarily a good barometer of how the kids will pan out but still, very cool to see our picks be captains - that's always a good sign IMO. And I am definitely looking forward to seeing these guys play, Niemela is someone many seem to have high hopes for and Hirvonen while less of a prospect I guess is still someone who has a fair bit of potential so very interested to see these guys play!



This is exactly how I feel. Like 100% bang on.

Little known fact that Joey Anderson was Captain for the 2018 US WJC Bronze medal team scoring 4G and 3A in 7 games.

 

[TheBeastCoast]

Never made sense that people choose between rooting for Canada and Leafs prospects....I just do both? lol

 

[ACC1224]

Never made sense that people choose between rooting for Canada and Leafs prospects....I just do both? lol

You can file this with things that shouldn't really need to be said.

 

[Torontonian]

Will be interesting in seeing Topi Niemela play for Finland, haven't seen him play at all but after his top d-man award from last years WJC and from what I have heard and seen about him, it will be interesting to see.

Also, just looking up who won the best defenseman award at the WJC, pretty solid list that has transitioned into the NHL, seems like good news having Sandin and Niemela win it back to back years.

 

[Dave92]

That’s really exciting. I guess Finland should be all of our second fave team this year.

I usually cheer for them because they're generally underdogs and the only country that cares about hockey as much as Canada.

 

[Dayjobdave]

I generally root for Leaf prospects first, and Canada as the overall. I like to watch the different programs. Sweden, Finland, Russia and the US all have very distinct approaches and that is fascinating to watch.

I’ve found that Canada’s announcers seem entitled about how we should dominate, and that is a decidedly nun-Canadian attitude.

Really looking forward to seeing Niemela and Hirvonen for Finland.

 

[ACC1224]

I generally root for Leaf prospects first, and Canada as the overall. I like to watch the different programs. Sweden, Finland, Russia and the US all have very distinct approaches and that is fascinating to watch.

I’ve found that Canada’s announcers seem entitled about how we should dominate, and that is a decidedly nun-Canadian attitude.

Really looking forward to seeing Niemela and Hirvonen for Finland.

Don't be dissing the nuns, especially at Christmas.

 

[Bluelines]

I've always loved those Finish players. Esa Tikkanen, Leo Komarov, Selane, Koivu ... something about the honest way they played the game. I don't mean honest by following the rules, honest in the way they wore their hearts on their sleeves and had that bulldog type approach to the game.

 

[Smif]

I usually cheer for them because they're generally underdogs and the only country that cares about hockey as much as Canada.

Same!! I started cheering for them because my son started liking because his name is Finn but then realized they're a mini Canada when it comes to puck.

 

[Dayjobdave]

Don't be dissing the nuns, especially at Christmas.

Good point. I’ll try not to make a habit out of it.

 

[saltming]

Good point. I’ll try not to make a habit out of it.

Keep this up and we will have to cloister you in with the Habs and Sens fans

 

[ACC1224]

Good point. I’ll try not to make a habit out of it.

Merry Christmas

 

[jonlin]

I've always loved those Finish players. Esa Tikkanen, Leo Komarov, Selane, Koivu ... something about the honest way they played the game. I don't mean honest by following the rules, honest in the way they wore their hearts on their sleeves and had that bulldog type approach to the game.

It`s the small hockey-nation syndrome. Slovakias golden generation did the same. They were always greater playing for the nation than the logo.

 

[tmlms13]

you mean 1st favorite team! tbh i couldnt really care less if canada wins the juniors lol. i care about my leafs prospects way more. if theres no more leafs prospects left playing then GO CANADA i suppose lol.

Agreed always most interested in individual players.

 

[LeafSteel]

Will always cheer for Canada, but I also find myself rooting for Sweden and Finland.

Love how they play, with finesse and some grit.

I find the Finland vs. Sweden rivalry every bit as heated as the US vs Canada rivalry.

If anything, I enjoy their games more because I'm living and dying for Canada in those games, but when Sweden and Finland match up, I'm just watching for the love of the sport and they always deliver a great game.

Merry Christmas everyone! Stay safe, please.

 

[djdev]

Agreed always most interested in individual players.

yep, i save my canadian cheers for olympic teams etc.

 

[Leafidelity]

Will always cheer for Canada, but I also find myself rooting for Sweden and Finland.

I find TSN has made it harder to cheer for Canada than it has been in the past. Their over the top jingoism has started to really bother me the past few years. I guess Im more about quiet confidence than "THIS IS OUR GAME" type ads.

 

[LeafSteel]

I find TSN has made it harder to cheer for Canada than it has been in the past. Their over the top jingoism has started to really bother me the past few years. I guess Im more about quiet confidence than "THIS IS OUR GAME" type ads.

Well said.

I don’t need the over the top rhetoric. It’s all about the game.

I wish they would take a chapter from the European football commentator’s who aren’t yapping the entire time.

 

[Confucius]

I find TSN has made it harder to cheer for Canada than it has been in the past. Their over the top jingoism has started to really bother me the past few years. I guess Im more about quiet confidence than "THIS IS OUR GAME" type ads.

It is our game, what other game is there that is better followed in the country? Baseball is the U S game or maybe football. Soccer is the game of most European countries, Cricket in India.

 

[Leafidelity]

It is our game, what other game is there that is better followed in the country? Baseball is the U S game or maybe football. Soccer is the game of most European countries, Cricket in India.

The "Im the best" attitude isn't Canadian, its TSN trying to pump your chest up so you'll watch their games.

 

[Confucius]

The "Im the best" attitude isn't Canadian, its TSN trying to pump your chest up so you'll watch their games.

people can read it however they choose but hockey is our game as it relates to Canadian sports is 100 percent true

 

[saltming]

people can read it however they choose but hockey is our game as it relates to Canadian sports is 100 percent true

I thought it was lacrosse?

 

[Confucius]

I thought it was lacrosse?

have you seen the Lacrosse boards lol! Truely has gone the way of jousting