WJC: Team Finland 2019 U20 WJC Roster Talk

[illone84]

Blackhawks prospect Niklas Nordgren named to Finland’s preliminary roster for World Junior.

Good to see he is on the team anyway, hopefuly there is a big chanse ge Will play, otherwise its stupid to fill a spot with him right?

Blackhawks prospect Niklas Nordgren named to Finland’s preliminary roster for World Juniors

This was published on December 3. He got injured a few days ago. Does not confirm anything.

 

[PanniniClaus]

Why did Vesalainen declined? What is the reason?

Do not know. Is it possible his club team offered an incentive to stay? Vesalainen seems to march to his own beat.

 

[King Weber]

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.

With the injury situation in Nashville getting a bit better and with Tolvanen in Milwaukee, I don't see why they wouldn't let him go. I mean, we let Forsberg go in 13-14.


And here's what Vesalainen had to say about not going;

 

[Joey Bones]

Any chance Lauri Pajuniemi gets added to the team at all? Looked okay before his injury. Thanks in advance!!

 

[kelsier]

With the injury situation in Nashville getting a bit better and with Tolvanen in Milwaukee, I don't see why they wouldn't let him go. I mean, we let Forsberg go in 13-14.


And here's what Vesalainen had to say about not going;

I completely understand if some veteran NHL'er isn't interested about representing his country at the annual WHC, but young talents like Vesalainen not wanting to participate in the WJC just feels weird. Of course if this was his D year, he would be the one calling the coach for a position if nothing else. Guess I kind of can understand not wanting to travel back and forth Europe - Canada, but still. What comes to character he's no average Finn that's for sure. Kind of disappointing decision in my opinion. At least if Tolvanen arrives the team should be strong enough to have a real fighting chance to battle for the gold.

 

[IceHockeyDude]

Anyone knows if tonight's pre-tournament game will be streamed somewhere? Thanks!

 

[king89]

Anyone knows if tonight's pre-tournament game will be streamed somewhere? Thanks!

Isn't the game tomorrow? Or which game do you mean?

 

[Legend123]

Isn't the game tomorrow? Or which game do you mean?

tmrw. Russia vs Sweden

 

[IceHockeyDude]

Isn't the game tomorrow? Or which game do you mean?

I don't know anymore because the starting times of the games are so opposite, I heard the game starts at 19th of December 00:00 EET. But I suppose it begins at 20th day.

 

[Kaako Kappo]

All i expect is to not be embarrassed for third year in a row. Probably expecting too much.

 

[LeafChief]

Looks like Jokiharju is being released to play in the tournament.

I assume he will be the captain?

 

[FinPanda]

Looks like Jokiharju is being released to play in the tournament.

I assume he will be the captain?

Great, absolutely great news. Yeah I think he'll be C.

This feels like we got an NHL player for men's WHC.. But this is juniors, even better.

 

[Patrik Barkov]

I'd put the defense together like this:

Kokkonen-Jokiharju
Heinola-Laaksonen
Utunen-Honka
Thomson
Kaskinen

 

[BB88]

Jokiharju is a big addition, now Tolvanen would be the same for offense.

But still it frustrates to have to leave so much talent out of the lineup.

 

[JJTT]

I'd put the defense together like this:

Kokkonen-Jokiharju
Heinola-Laaksonen
Utunen-Honka
Thomson
Kaskinen

Looks good.

If Tolvanen comes I'd put the forwards like this:

Talvitie-Kupari-Heponiemi
Tolvanen-Lundell-Kakko
Ranta/Nyman-Virtanen-Ylönen
Engberg-Vainionpää-Moilanen
Nyman

Nordgren instead of Ranta if he is healthy.

 

[QnebO]

I completely understand if some veteran NHL'er isn't interested about representing his country at the annual WHC, but young talents like Vesalainen not wanting to participate in the WJC just feels weird. Of course if this was his D year, he would be the one calling the coach for a position if nothing else. Guess I kind of can understand not wanting to travel back and forth Europe - Canada, but still. What comes to character he's no average Finn that's for sure. Kind of disappointing decision in my opinion. At least if Tolvanen arrives the team should be strong enough to have a real fighting chance to battle for the gold.

They are also individual athletes and in many other sports too, they have main goals for season and things that they would skip. Kind of. Club teams are always important in this sport, of course.

WJC is great hockey.. but its just junior tournament after all has been said and done.

 

[Buttermilk]

I'd put the defense together like this:

Kokkonen-Jokiharju
Heinola-Laaksonen
Utunen-Honka
Thomson
Kaskinen

Honka over Thomson?

Honka played in Mestis and not even good. He is really worst to defend and same time Thomson make so much better job in WHL.

But Team Finland defenders is now solid. Anymore we need Tolvanen and that's it. I hope Nordgren can play too. If I can decide I take Tanus in the group. But Ahokas makes those decisions.

Heponiemi - Kupari - Nyman
Kakko - Lundell - Tolvanen
Nordgren/Ranta - Talvitie - Ylönen
Vainionpää - Virtanen - Moilanen

 

[Patrik Barkov]

Honka over Thomson?

Honka played in Mestis and not even good. He is really worst to defend and same time Thomson make so much better job in WHL.

But Team Finland defenders is now solid. Anymore we need Tolvanen and that's it. I hope Nordgren can play too. If I can decide I take Tanus in the group. But Ahokas makes those decisions.

Heponiemi - Kupari - Nyman
Kakko - Lundell - Tolvanen
Nordgren/Ranta - Talvitie - Ylönen
Vainionpää - Virtanen - Moilanen

If Honka gets it going he's a monster offensively. He brings something special to the game with his skating and hands. I believe they should give him a go with Utunen (they played together at the u18), some PP time and if he plays poorly give the spot to Thomson.

 

[edd1e]

Jokiharju might be the best addition possible after Heiskanen

 

[Buttermilk]

If Honka gets it going he's a monster offensively. He brings something special to the game with his skating and hands. I believe they should give him a go with Utunen (they played together at the u18), some PP time and if he plays poorly give the spot to Thomson.

I have to say: Honka doesn't deserve place in WJC team. I like him skating but he is too arrogant and his very poor playing in defense gets me feel sick.

If we didn't have so many puck-skilled defender that would be different thing. We have already Jokiharhu, Laaksonen and Thomson and all of them are right-handed.

 

[king89]

Great, absolutely great news. Yeah I think he'll be C.

This feels like we got an NHL player for men's WHC.. But this is juniors, even better.

Talvitie should be the captain, Jokiharju has never been captain, only assistant captain in U16. Talvitie is the obvious choice.

 

[FinPanda]

Talvitie should be the captain, Jokiharju has never been captain, only assistant captain in U16. Talvitie is the obvious choice.

I think it is between them, even though Jokiharju has never been, I think he has a chance still. He'll be the top guy on the team.

 

[Baksfamous112]

Jokiharju might be the best addition possible after Heiskanen

Wouldn’t it be Kotkaniemi?

 

[king89]

I think it is between them, even though Jokiharju has never been, I think he has a chance still. He'll be the top guy on the team.

Yeah it has become a thing to name your'e top guy captain , so its between them. One player i really hope they don't cut out is Moilainen. This team needs him. He brings that grit and isn't afraid of taking hits to create chances for the team. Good skater also.

 

[Jussi Fruit]

What are the odds that if healthy, Vaakanainen is loaned to the team?