WJC: Team Finland 2018 U20 WJC Roster Talk

[forsbergfan21]

Rank in terms of most points in the tournament: Heiskanen, Jokiharju, Juolevi, Valimaki (PS that's my order, from top to bottom).

 

[Firewagon]

Who did Heponiemi play with against Czech?

 

[FiLe]

Who did Heponiemi play with against Czech?

A.Räsänen and Koivula.

 

[LeafChief]

Let's get E. Rasanen on that top pairing.

 

[Laineux]

Finland would have the best team even if all NHL players were included.

 

[Critical13]

My only concern with this defence is how it will handle the forecheck and boardplay. Lots of talent.

 

[jasonr90]

Let's get E. Rasanen on that top pairing.

Maybe next year. Though probably not Vaakinainen and Jokiharju will be back

 

[Lempo]

Letters:

C - Välimäki
A - Kuokkanen
A - Heiskanen

It's kinda peculiar that Juolevi who had the C last year (as a year younger, even) still features but now didn't even get an A. Additionally, all three of these also were there last year but no letters then - though that is not so unusual.

Didn't last year's captaincy include a central role in the players' mutiny against the coaching? The well-publicited team meeting without coaches etc? As necessary it was, it's still a breach of etiquette that kind of needs addressing.

Plus, judging by googling now, he had to do more than his share of post-game interviews in less than ideal circumstances. Having new guys for that now underlines the turning of the page from stuff that happened since.

 

[jasonr90]

Someone said it earlier and I think its weird that Juolevi was the captain last year and has no letter this year. No big deal though. Different coaching staff and his numbers look impressive so far this year

 

[jasonr90]

Didn't last year's captaincy include a central role in the players' mutiny against the coaching? The well-publicited team meeting without coaches etc? As necessary it was, it's still a breach of etiquette that kind of needs addressing.

Plus, judging by googling now, he had to do more than his share of post-game interviews in less than ideal circumstances. Having new guys for that now underlines the turning of the page from stuff that happened since.

Whoops you beat me to it. But that coaching staff got fired mid tournament so I don't think that was necessarily held against the players, who knows though. Probably just the different coaching staff that is more familir with Valimaki and co.

 

[Isola]

I'm still confused, surely one defenseman will be dropped out? 20 outfield players is maximum, right?

 

[Lempo]

Whoops you beat me to it. But that coaching staff got fired mid tournament so I don't think that was necessarily held against the players, who knows though. Probably just the different coaching staff that is more familir with Valimaki and co.

Good call, Valimaki was the C in 2016 at U18 under Ahokas.

But, I think generally in life the new boss won't reward you for getting the old boss fired, even if the old boss was awful and the new boss got his job. He's still a boss and categorically badly poised against that sort of insubordination.

 

[WhatWhat]

Let's get E. Rasanen on that top pairing.

Lol Rasanen is remotely close to the same level as Heiskanen/Juolevi/Valimaki/Vaakanainen/Jokiharju right now. He is fighting for any amount of ice time right now and has zero chance at being top pairing

 

[LeafChief]

Lol Rasanen is remotely close to the same level as Heiskanen/Juolevi/Valimaki/Vaakanainen/Jokiharju right now. He is fighting for any amount of ice time right now and has zero chance at being top pairing

I was joking.

 

[StatisticsAddict99]

First year cheering for the Finns, wasn’t able to do it in the year of which Laine was destroying record because I didn’t know he was gonna be a future Jet but hey I at least get to cheer now with Vesalainen being a prospect of the Jets.

 

[ES]

Between 2011 and 2016, the captain was mostly the biggest prospect of main age group, apart from Lindbohm.

2011 - Vatanen
2012 - Mi Granlund
2013 - Lindbohm
2014 - Teräväinen
2015 - Lehkonen
2016 - Rantanen

With Aho in the NHL and Saarela declining, the 1997 group was not so strong so Juolevi got the C being one year younger than main group. I see that choice being the "leader on the ice gets C" but it didn't work well. Maybe just Juolevi isn't kind of person which you need to be as a captain. From the last year's team Björkqvist fitted probably that description best, if only including the oldest age group.

As Välimäki was captain while the team won U18 Worlds, I see it not surprising to give him edge over Juolevi.

 

[CRhockey]

Finland would have the best team even if all NHL players were included.

Maybe the best Finnish team ever, but hardly the best jr team ever.

 

[jasonr90]

Maybe the best Finnish team ever, but hardly the best jr team ever.

I think he meant for this years tournament

 

[Hockeyisl1fe]

As a TPS fan I obviously like Juolevi, but I like Välimäki more as a captain.

 

[Jarey Curry]

Maybe the best Finnish team ever, but hardly the best jr team ever.

2 years ago we had quite good team on paper plus they proved that on ice by becoming champions that year so, until this year's team proves to be champions I don't think they're as good.

 

[Hockeyisl1fe]

Nice! As a Jets fan that’s good to hear! Hope he tears it up. IMO he plays like the Finnish Blake Wheeler.

Still odd the natural Heponiemi (passer) Tolvanen (Sniper) connection isn’t united yet.

I don't really see it as particularly odd; Kuokkanen is a good playmaker too and Koivula/Heponiemi could be a great duo. Tolvanen and Vesalainen have been playing together since the U17 WHC in 2014 with great results. They have proven chemistry together.

 

[Erikfromfin]

Button's bracketology
World Junior Bracketology

 

[Snowsii]

Button's bracketology
World Junior Bracketology

Dam jinxed.. Finland for requlation rounds..

 

[Conspiracy Theorist]

Dam jinxed.. Finland for requlation rounds..

Nah, a lot of people were predicting Finland would win gold in 2016. Hopefully doesn't backfire this time.

 

[Finnswiss]

I hope for the Finns the tournament will be more successfull this year than last year. They have to begin against a tough opponent, Canada.
Would be nice if they have a good start.