Really nice stretch pass and you can see the switch go on when he gets the puck but otherwise he has to learn how to play defense.
But I'm not too concerned about that considering the level he is at right now, that can be taught.
LD Aron Kiviharju - TPS, FIN JRS (2024 Draft)
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Really nice stretch pass and you can see the switch go on when he gets the puck but otherwise he has to learn how to play defense.
But I'm not too concerned about that considering the level he is at right now, that can be taught.
Really, so what issues did you have with the way he played defense here? To my eyes he clearly was the best on his team at that, and he also was on the first PK unit. In terms of missed assignments, flubbed defensive plays and such I'd say those were very rare. I'd say like, 3 significant misplays in 4 full matches that I watched. The best and most frequent poke checks on his team, strong positioning for 2v1s. And by the way he did not give up a single 2v1 without him being that 1 in any of the games I watched. He also gave up no breakaways, and didn't even have to back check for more than one play that I can recall. Best backwards skating on the team by a mile. Right, and in all the games I watched, he wasn't on ice for a single goal against, even on PK.
So what makes you say that?
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I was talking only about the clip posted he pinched in didn't have control of the puck and was watching it with a man behind him. He actually did that right after he dished off and wasn't in the play either, a quick shoulder check is all that's needed and that is easily coachable but in the clip he was way too focused on watching the puck but that can be coached like I said.
Even before the great breakout pass he isn't in position for his partner to give him a clean pass and he has to go back for it.
At that level he is able to get away with stuff like that but at higher levels it needs to be corrected.
Antiillafire
Registered User
Is he really ready for u20, I’m not so sure. At least from the 2 games I’ve seen. Maybe 2 off games, however.
Pavel Buchnevich
"Pavel Buchnevich The Fake"
I don't get what you're talking about at all. The only thing that seems even remotely accurate is that he wasn't in position for the pass. Otherwise I have no idea what you're seeing. And by the way, intercepting that initial pass IS a good defensive play. A much better defensive play than would be offset by any of the mistakes you might be seeing, mind. So it's a very strange statement no matter how you swing it.
Anyway, some other defensive plays from that same game:
The first is a poke check.
Second, he actually makes a mistake in the defensive zone and gets into trouble. But see how he recovers.
Third one's the closest thing to him getting hemmed in his zone this whole game, I guess. Mainly because he loses his stick. Does the standard thing where the puck just happens to come right to him, then he makes a fancy pass to get it out.
Fourth one is a pinch. Becomes a scoring chance.
Fifth one is defense against rush and loose puck recovery, see how he gets body position. Then another interesting pass which eventually becomes a scoring chance.
Greatest defensive strength would be loose puck recovery + outlet, must be something like a 99+% success rate on getting the play going the other way and literally never loses 1v1 vs forecheck.
Good to see this kid back in action. Looks like he has recovered quite well from his knee injury
Played two u16 national team matches vs Germany, first with Finland Blue and then for combined Team Finland.
Was Captain in both games and 0+1 in first game and 0+3 in second game. Also named team’s best player in the second game.
On the assists, two of them were standard breakout passes that ended up becoming goals, while the other two were cross ice one timer passes.
Was Captain in both games and 0+1 in first game and 0+3 in second game. Also named team’s best player in the second game.
On the assists, two of them were standard breakout passes that ended up becoming goals, while the other two were cross ice one timer passes.
goblin3
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After playing for the national team he's got 4 assists in 2 games in U20.
He now has 6 points in 8gp, +10 (+11 -1), and averages 20 minutes per game.
He now has 6 points in 8gp, +10 (+11 -1), and averages 20 minutes per game.
Dirtyf1ghter
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He confirms that he is still the most advanced player born in 2006. It has been like this for 5 and a half years.
Don’t know how he compares to players from other countries, but he really stood out among Finland’s U16 team. Especially his offensive instincts are well ahead of his peers, his breakouts against Germany were impeccable.
In these two games with TPS u-20 after Pohjola camp he looked quite a bit better than before. It's like it was less about survival and more about being able to properly play the game. They had many breakouts running through him in today's game, and he also had the most ice time. This with players like Jimi Suomi - who's practically a Liiga player - on the team's defense.
Probably since earlier than that. Like this was from when he was 8yo playing with u11 players: https://gameresultsonline.com/hunters04/hunters-e04-turnaus/176/statistics
Dirtyf1ghter
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Obviously, he always had to crush the competition in Finland. But then it was very difficult to compare him to others. His performance at 10 years old at WSI U12 is the first hockey event to grant him the unofficial title of World No. 1 Generation 2006.
First goal at u-20s. Now 8 points in 10 games.
I'd say it's pretty likely he plays at u-18s in the spring. I think he already is better than every defenseman on the u-17 national team.
Artorius Horus T
sincerety
austin63867
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Yeah saw that earlier its unfortunate for sure. Maybe he gets a chance in february when there is supposed to be 5nations in rauma unless it also gets cancelled
Kiviharju is attending his first u18 camp 5.2.-8.2. His team won 4-2 and he got a primary assist in the first scrimmage.
goblin3
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19p (5g 14a) in 25 u-20 games. Seems like he wore A last game and played over 27 minutes.
Sweetpotato
Registered User
First overalls
Wright
Bedard
Kiviharju
Roobroeck
Book it. This kid is going to be special, he reminds me so much of Dahlin hopefully he can have an easier path in his development.
Wright
Bedard
Kiviharju
Roobroeck
Book it. This kid is going to be special, he reminds me so much of Dahlin hopefully he can have an easier path in his development.
Dirtyf1ghter
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Played 29:06 in his latest u-20 game. Now 20 points in 26 games.
During u-18 national team scrims, got 2 points in 2 games. The sample size's irrelevant but Finland's scrim teams probably are stronger than your average u-18 national team. It's interesting because the all-time highest amount of points scored by a u-16 defenseman at u-18s is only 3 points. So if he makes it there and the tournament's played, his chances should be very good for an all-time record.
During u-18 national team scrims, got 2 points in 2 games. The sample size's irrelevant but Finland's scrim teams probably are stronger than your average u-18 national team. It's interesting because the all-time highest amount of points scored by a u-16 defenseman at u-18s is only 3 points. So if he makes it there and the tournament's played, his chances should be very good for an all-time record.
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