WJC: Team Finland 2019 U20 WJC Roster Talk

[FinPanda]

If Vesalainen didn't want to come that fine for me, it's not like he could've given all to the team if he didn't even want to play. Good to stay home. I absolutely hate his decision but it's his choice.

Players? So Tolvanen and Jokiharju? Vaakanainen would be huge too since the left side only has underagers on defense at the moment.

Ahokas just said in the same interview (in TV) that two are coming so I hope it's Tolvanen and Jokiharju.

 

[FinPanda]

So which players is Finland going to miss for 100% ?

Vesalainen, Heiskanen and Kotkaniemi. Most likely Vaakanainen too. Jokiharju and Tolvanen are the best bets to join.

 

[king89]

Is UPL the de facto #1 goalie?

If so, I might even root for Finland over Canada, but that's the only way.

He's the starter going in to the tournament but Lassi Lehtinen is close second. Have has UPL been this season? His stats are good but has he stepped up if needed?

 

[Artorius Horus T]

Players? So Tolvanen and Jokiharju? Vaakanainen would be huge too since the left side only has underagers on defense at the moment.

Jokiharju, 0,1% chance, not sure would i want Vaakanainen, wasn't even good enough to the AHL
Tolvanen would be a lucky and welcome add on, i would take a chance with either of the top u18 Finnish USHL players
(Kallionkieli&Maccelli) That 16 year old Finn; Toivonen who plays for the Broncos in the WHL,
he could be a high risk, high reward type of player to the games, recently been scoring plenty goals, 4 in past 5 games,
maybe too young thou.

 

[FinPanda]

Jokiharju, 0,1% chance, not sure would i want Vaakanainen, wasn't even good enough to the AHL
Tolvanen would be a lucky and welcome add on, i would take a chance with either of the top u18 Finnish USHL players
(Kallionkieli&Maccelli) That 16 year old Finn; Toivonen who plays for the Broncos in the WHL,
he could be a high risk, high reward type of player to the games, recently been scoring plenty goals, 4 in past 5 games,
maybe too young thou.

Vaakanainen was definitely good enough for the AHL. Did you watch any of his games? He nearly made the Bruins.

He is a defensive defenseman.

 

[Artorius Horus T]

Vesalainen, Heiskanen and Kotkaniemi. Most likely Vaakanainen too. Jokiharju and Tolvanen are the best bets to join.

Why would Hawks free 1st pair / 2nd pair d-man, who's been Hawks best d-man this season,
would make zero sense, even if coach JC has not been very keen of him (for some reason)

 

[FinPanda]

Why would Hawks free 1st pair / 2nd pair d-man, who's been Hawks best d-man this season,
would make zero sense, even if coach JC has not been very keen of him (for some reason)

Because Blackhawks have been terrible and it would be good for Jokiharju to win some games. It's a real possibility.

 

[king89]

If Vesalainen didn't want to come that fine for me, it's not like he could've given all to the team if he didn't even want to play. Good to stay home. I absolutely hate his decision but it's his choice.


Ahokas just said in the same interview (in TV) that two are coming so I hope it's Tolvanen and Jokiharju.

I guess he just wants to focus on one thing now, and be at one place. I would really want him on the team but as you said its better with motivated ones. Did Ahokas directly say that two NA players would join? If so the case its probably the two you listed.

 

[Artorius Horus T]

Vaakanainen was definitely good enough for the AHL. Did you watch any of his games? He nearly made the Bruins.

He is a defensive defenseman.

Isn't he playing in the ECHL???...or am i think a different player.
......sorry, i was thinking that big oof Finn forward.

 

[Artorius Horus T]

Because Blackhawks have been terrible and it would be good for Jokiharju to win some games. It's a real possibility.

No, not possible, as Kotka joining was not possible, which already has been confirmed by Habs coach last week.

 

[Artorius Horus T]

None of the regular u20 NHL players have ever joined to the world juniors, at least for team Finland.

 

[kudla]

Vesalainen, Heiskanen and Kotkaniemi. Most likely Vaakanainen too. Jokiharju and Tolvanen are the best bets to join.

And how about Joni Ikonen?

 

[FinPanda]

No, not possible, as Kotka joining was not possible, which already has been confirmed by Habs coach last week.

It's possible for Jokiharju. We will find out soon who the two guys will be. Kotkaniemi won't come like you said, it's confirmed. I think it's either Vaakanainen or Jokiharju + Tolvanen.

Isn't he playing in the ECHL???...or am i think a different player.
......sorry, i was thinking that big oof Finn forward.

Yeah no problem, Vaakanainen has been recovering from a concussion, otherwise he would've been playing with the Bruins in the NHL now.

I guess he just wants to focus on one thing now, and be at one place. I would really want him on the team but as you said its better with motivated ones. Did Ahokas directly say that two NA players would join? If so the case its probably the two you listed.

Yeah he said two.

 

[FinPanda]

And how about Joni Ikonen?

Yeah he too, just forgot him. Out with an injury.

 

[king89]

Jokiharju, 0,1% chance, not sure would i want Vaakanainen, wasn't even good enough to the AHL
Tolvanen would be a lucky and welcome add on, i would take a chance with either of the top u18 Finnish USHL players
(Kallionkieli&Maccelli) That 16 year old Finn; Toivonen who plays for the Broncos in the WHL,
he could be a high risk, high reward type of player to the games, recently been scoring plenty goals, 4 in past 5 games,
maybe too young thou.

There is a big chance that Jokiharju joins. In an interview Chicago said they are open for it.
The two players that Ahokas talked about is probably Jokiharju and Tolvanen.

 

[Pardus]

That 16 year old Finn; Toivonen who plays for the Broncos in the WHL,
he could be a high risk, high reward type of player to the games, recently been scoring plenty goals, 4 in past 5 games,
maybe too young thou.

Who on Earth are you talking about? 16-year-old Toivonen?

Edit. Ah okay, Joona Kiviniemi. Not a chance. Would be a huge surprise even to see him on U18 national team.

 

[ChicagoBullsFan]

So which players is Finland going to miss for 100% ?

Miro Heiskanen ( NHL duties)
Jesperi Kotkaniemi ( NHL duties)
Eemeli Räsänen ( injured)
Joni Ikonen ( injured)
Urho Vaakanainen ( injured)
Kristian Vesalainen ( declined )
and 99% likely Niklas Nordgren ( injured)

 

[FinPanda]

Miro Heiskanen ( NHL duties)
Jesperi Kotkaniemi ( NHL duties)
Eemeli Räsänen ( injured)
Joni Ikonen ( injured)
Urho Vaakanainen ( injured)
Kristian Vesalainen ( declined )
and 99% likely Niklas Nordgren ( injured)

I want to stay hopeful that we get Nordgren. I hope it's not concussion and it's just a precaution that he is not leaving yet.

Eeli Tolvanen's agent has confirmed Eeli wants to play at the WJC. So it's up to Nashville whether they let him play.

 

[king89]

I want to stay hopeful that we get Nordgren. I hope it's not concussion and it's just a precaution that he is not leaving yet.

Eeli Tolvanen's agent has confirmed Eeli wants to play at the WJC. So it's up to Nashville whether they let him play.

Yeah we need to stay hopeful!
Then we can almost count Tolvanen in now when he has been sent down.

 

[WaW]

He's the starter going in to the tournament but Lassi Lehtinen is close second. Have has UPL been this season? His stats are good but has he stepped up if needed?

Ukko has been our best player. He's stolen several games for us and looks like an NHL goalie out there. He seems to make the big save more often than not, and never appears to fold under any sort of pressure. He skates as well as any junior goalie I've ever seen, fluid movement in the crease and top notch positioning.

Yeah our fanbase absolutely loves him, and he's easily the best goalie the Sudbury Wolves have ever had...which includes the likes of Mike Smith and Andrew Raycroft.

 

[Harbour Dog]

Hey guys, Rangers fan here.

Was hoping one of you could shed some light on Pajuniemi not being selected. After the WJSS I thought he was a near lock, and aside from being injured he he's had a solid season.

 

[BB88]

We have more than enough talent in this team, not to worry.

We are missing our best players and it's going to hurt, and a bit frustrating to watch knowing they had to leave so much talent on the table.

It's now on Kakko& Heponiemi.

Vaakanainen was definitely good enough for the AHL. Did you watch any of his games? He nearly made the Bruins.

He is a defensive defenseman.

He got injured in the NHL, so I'd say he's easily good enough for this team.

 

[king89]

Ukko has been our best player. He's stolen several games for us and looks like an NHL goalie out there. He seems to make the big save more often than not, and never appears to fold under any sort of pressure. He skates as well as any junior goalie I've ever seen, fluid movement in the crease and top notch positioning.

Yeah our fanbase absolutely loves him, and he's easily the best goalie the Sudbury Wolves have ever had...which includes the likes of Mike Smith and Andrew Raycroft.

Wow sounds great man, did not think this about Luukkonen. After somewhat of an mediocre WCJ from Luukkonen last year its seems like he has gotten better. I was somewhat worried about our goaltending going into the tournament but not anymore.

 

[Hockeyfrilla]

Miro Heiskanen ( NHL duties)
Jesperi Kotkaniemi ( NHL duties)
Eemeli Räsänen ( injured)
Joni Ikonen ( injured)
Urho Vaakanainen ( injured)
Kristian Vesalainen ( declined )
and 99% likely Niklas Nordgren ( injured)

Are Räsänen and Vaakanainen confirmed to miss the tournament? Or could they join if they get healthy in time? Trying to get a overview of injuries here.

 

[king89]

Any more information on Lundell and Nordgrens injuries?