LD Aron Kiviharju - TPS, FIN JRS (2024 Draft)

[ijuka]

At least did well in terms of advanced stats. And certainly among the team's top 4 defensemen.

 

[Jukurit]

At least did well in terms of advanced stats. And certainly among the team's top 4 defensemen.

Where did you get advanced stats?

 

[Torspo21]

 

[ijuka]

Where did you get advanced stats?

Liiga.fi player stats.

Lead all defensemen and was second overall in corsi.

 

[Jukurit]

 

[LaMasquerade]

I went to this Tappara-TPS game and while I was rooting for home team I also closely watched each Aron's shift.
There was nothing highlights worthy as such but on the other hand nothing alarming either. Just smart and safe defending. Simple but effective plays out of his own zone. Didn't look like "rookie" really..

 

[mistaclick]

I went to this Tappara-TPS game and while I was rooting for home team I also closely watched each Aron's shift.
There was nothing highlights worthy as such but on the other hand nothing alarming either. Just smart and safe defending. Simple but effective plays out of his own zone. Didn't look like "rookie" really..

That’s what I love about him. Even last year at U20 level he wasn’t doing too much. Just smart and effective decisions in every aspect of the game, yet he still put up an insane amount of points for his age. Let’s see how he progresses this year, could easily be the next great Finn dman, atleast since Heiskanen.

 

[PlayersLtd]

I went to this Tappara-TPS game and while I was rooting for home team I also closely watched each Aron's shift.
There was nothing highlights worthy as such but on the other hand nothing alarming either. Just smart and safe defending. Simple but effective plays out of his own zone. Didn't look like "rookie" really..

This is really all one should want out of Aron at this point. To me that's a better sign than flashy plays complimented with errors. You know the skill is there but if the kid can show poise, patience and high iq at this level it will say a lot about the mental part of his game which to me will forecast, as much as anything else, elite NHL potential.

 

[TheGreenTBer]

The more reliably he plays in his own end against men, the more ice time he's likely to receive with which to work on other aspects of his game.

Playing smart and somewhat conservative at first until you have the trust of your teammates and coaches is never a bad thing.

 

[teravaineSAROS]

The concern for me is whether playing in Liiga too much might stifle his offense a bit?

 

[Jukurit]

I don't really understand this talk about Kiviharju "playing it safe". Based on what I've seen of him over the years, that's how he usually plays. You should probably remember that he's played against players much older than him pretty much his whole life.

 

[PlayersLtd]

I don't really understand this talk about Kiviharju "playing it safe". Based on what I've seen of him over the years, that's how he usually plays. You should probably remember that he's played against players much older than him pretty much his whole life.

More like playing it smart and not forcing things. Yes, that has been his m.o. but kids have a tendency to do too much and not completely acknowledge the limits of their abilities in face of a major jump in competition and added pressure. One would not have been surprised to see him trying too much and making mistakes as he adapts. Showing a simple and smart game right away at this level, even for him, is eye opening and a very important indicator of his mental game, in my opinion.

 

[karhukissa]

Just listened podcast where Ismo Lehkonen talked about Kiviharju, he told a story that Kiviharju asked marker pens for bday present so he can write down tactics and things how he can improve his game. He also said that Aron is not a product of TPS junior path, he's rather found his own path to develop as being extremely smart and passionate about hockey.

Lehkonen has been in contact with pretty much all of these recent Finnish NHL players and he says that Kiviharju has exceptional understanding of the game and he doesn't say these things lightly. And he's correct, we can talk about semantics like skating or whatever, but he's got that exceptional understanding what's happening on the ice all the time. Instinct is something you can't teach, he's never in a hurry even when playing against men.

 

[illone84]

Just listened podcast where Ismo Lehkonen talked about Kiviharju, he told a story that Kiviharju asked marker pens for bday present so he can write down tactics and things how he can improve his game. He also said that Aron is not a product of TPS junior path, he's rather found his own path to develop as being extremely smart and passionate about hockey.

Lehkonen has been in contact with pretty much all of these recent Finnish NHL players and he says that Kiviharju has exceptional understanding of the game and he doesn't say these things lightly. And he's correct, we can talk about semantics like skating or whatever, but he's got that exceptional understanding what's happening on the ice all the time. Instinct is something you can't teach, he's never in a hurry even when playing against men.

awesome, do you mind sharing the podcast, please?

 

[Kiekura]

awesome, do you mind sharing the podcast, please?

Urheilucast

 

[illone84]

Urheilucast

Paljon kiitoksia!

 

[JabbaJabba]

Kiviharju will start today's game on the 2nd pair with Niklas Arell. He should get more minutes, last game he only got 9 and half minutes.

 

[Rengorlex]

How's he looked in the juniors?

 

[Hokinaittii]

How's he looked in the juniors?

I haven't seen him play but 6 assists in 8 games in Finnish U20 league is below expectations for a player he is projected to be.

 

[Jukurit]

Seems like he's injured. Hopefully it's not his knee.

 

[Smirnov2Chistov]

The concern for me is whether playing in Liiga too much might stifle his offense a bit?

Why? Because Brad Lambert struggled in the Liiga?

From what I’ve read by different posters over the years, the Liiga is the closest in terms of ‘play’ and ‘physicality’ like the NHL. (Not sure if that’s the correct way of describing it - maybe structure is better?)

 

[ijuka]

Why? Because Brad Lambert struggled in the Liiga?

From what I’ve read by different posters over the years, the Liiga is the closest in terms of ‘play’ and ‘physicality’ like the NHL. (Not sure if that’s the correct way of describing it - maybe structure is better?)

Liiga just is pretty physical and grindy. But it's honestly not that much like today's NHL. Maybe NHL of early 00s.

They allow pretty ridiculous stick play which definitely wouldn't fly in NHL right now. There are no fast counter attacks, the play's pretty slow.

Average goals per game is under 5 this season.

 

[bebl]

Why? Because Brad Lambert struggled in the Liiga?

From what I’ve read by different posters over the years, the Liiga is the closest in terms of ‘play’ and ‘physicality’ like the NHL. (Not sure if that’s the correct way of describing it - maybe structure is better?)

Play and physicality is pretty far from the north american style of play. It's puck control and minimizing mistakes. Almost every team plays neutral zone trap. Liiga it's on really bad tactical trend right now. SHL and NLA are faster and more physical leagues than Liiga.

 

[Jukurit]

Kiviharju with 2 primary assists (Finland U20 vs. Czechia U19). Finland U20 won 8-2. Was on the 2nd powerplay unit.

 

[Jukurit]

Made Finland's WJC team.