WJC: Team Finland 2019 U20 WJC Roster Talk

[TheGoldenJet]

Updated U20 summer camp roster.

Goalies
Annunen Justus, Kärpät Oulu
Lehtinen Lassi, Lukko Rauma
Luukkonen Ukko-Pekka, HPK Hämeenlinna

Defencemans
Anttalainen Aleksi, Blainville-Boisbriand (QMJHL)
Honka Anttoni, JYP Jyväskylä
Isiguzo Bernard, TPS Turku
Laaksonen Oskari, Ilves Tampere
Latvala Otto, HPK Hämeenlinna
Riekkinen Joona, KalPa Kuopio
Räsänen Eemeli, Jokerit Helsinki
Salmela Santeri, KooKoo Kouvola
Teräväinen Eero, Lincoln Stars (USHL)
Utunen Toni, Tappara Tampere
Vaakanainen Urho, Boston Bruins (NHL)
Vesterinen Saku, KalPa Kuopio

Forwards
Engberg Teemu, HIFK Helsinki
Jokinen Janne, HPK Hämeenlinna
Kakko Kaapo, TPS Turku
Klemetti Aleksi, KalPa Kuopio
Koskenkorva Jesse, Kärpät Oulu
Kotkaniemi Jesperi, Ässät Pori
Maansaari Olli, HPK Hämeenlinna
Moilanen Sami, Tappara Tampere
Nyman Linus, Lukko Rauma
Pajuniemi Lauri, TPS Turku
Petman Ville, Lukko Rauma
Päkkilä Eetu, Kärpät Oulu
Ranta Sampo, Wisconsin Badgers (NCAA)
Seppälä Erkka, HPK Hämeenlinna
Talvitie Aarne, Penn State Univ (NCAA)
Tanus Kristian, Tappara Tampere
Vesalainen Kristian
Ylönen Jesse, Pelicans Lahti

Is Jokiharju out of the WJCSS? Will he play in these games against the Czechs?

 

[ChicagoBullsFan]

Is Jokiharju out of the WJCSS? Will he play in these games against the Czechs?

No he won't
Finland's U20 WJCSS roster will published Wednesday or Thursday so lets see is Jokiharju participating or not.

 

[LiveLongandProspal]

This may be hyperbole, but Lauri Pajuniemi may be the greatest player in the history of hockey

 

[JJTT]

Some random thoughts after watching from the crappy stream:

+Talvitie: great game for him. Was good on the PK, played with a tons of instensity and scored two goals. Looks like future NHLer everytime I see him.
+Pajuniemi: 3 goals, handles the puck really well, without too many fancy moves. Battles hard for a player of his size. Good skater too, think he will have a good season.
+Lehtinen: couldn't really do anything about the goals, solid rebound control, made the saves look easy.
+Vaakanainen: man among boys for our defenseman really. Solid on both ends.
+Honka: Fantastic skating, can move the puck up the ice really well, tries to make something happen all the time.
+Utunen: Solid yet unspectacular yet again.
+Riekkinen: Stood up for his linemates couple of times, no big errors on the defensive end.
+Engberg, worked hard along with the whole 4th line. 3 assists.
+Koskenkorva: Looked bigger and faster compared to last season


+/-Laaksonen: beautiful skater for his size. Looked solid on the powerplay holding the blueline and can shoot the puck. Made some bad reads jumping up the play.
+/- Kakko: 2 assists but didn't really find any chemistry with Nyman. Looked rusty, clearly been working out hard this summer.
+/- Kotkaniemi: Some really nice plays here and there but nothing special in the offensive end. Matching up vs Necas/Kaut in nearly every shift was hard.
+/- Nyman: Scored 3 points but didn't really stand out and seemed to have absolutely no chemistry with his linemates on 5vs5. Should really play in the bottom6 rather than first line.

-Räsänen: Looked a bit faster than last season but still takes too many penalties and not fast enough moving up the puck.
-Anttalainen: Don't see any reason why he is on the team. Small, doesn't play defense well and no offensive game.
-Seppälä: Compeltely invisible for 2nd line center with PP time.

 

[Snippit]

Does Laaksonen have a good chance at making the team? Finland's blueline is usually pretty loaded so I imagine it would be difficult.

 

[JJTT]

Does Laaksonen have a good chance at making the team? Finland's blueline is usually pretty loaded so I imagine it would be difficult.

He should.

Without Heiskanen I think the defense is something like this:

Vaakanainen-Jokiharju
Utunen-Honka
Riekkinen/X-Laaksonen
Räsänen

 

[Erikfromfin]

Finnish roster to Kamloops Summer Showcase : Leijonat.fi - U20 matkustaa turnaukseen Kanadaan - Tässä joukkueen kokoonpano!

Goalies:
1 Luukkonen Ukko-Pekka, HPK Hämeenlinna
30 Lehtinen Lassi, Lukko Rauma
31 Lindberg Filip, UMASS NCAA
Defenders:
2 Utunen Toni, Tappara Tampere
3 Salmela Santeri, KooKoo Kouvola
4 Anttalainen Aleksi, Blainville-Boisbriand QMJHL
19 Vesterinen Saku, KalPa Kuopio
21 Latvala Otto, HPK Hämeenlinna
23 Laaksonen Oskari, Ilves Tampere
28 Riekkinen Joona, KalPa Kuopio
36 Honka Anttoni, JYP Jyväskylä
Forwards:
10 Petman Ville, Lukko Rauma
12 Seppälä Erkka, HPK Hämeenlinna
13 Päkkilä Eetu, Kärpät Oulu
15 Klemetti Aleksi, KalPa Kuopio
18 Engberg Teemu, HIFK Helsinki
20 Nyman Linus, Lukko Rauma
22 Koskenkorva Jesse, Kärpät Oulu
24 Ranta Sampo, Wisconsin Badgers NCAA
25 Talvitie Aarne, Penn State University NCAA
32 Tanus Kristian, Tappara Tampere
33 Kakko Kaapo, TPS Turku
34 Kupari Rasmus, Kärpät Oulu
35 Maansaari Olli, HPK Hämeenlinna
37 Jokinen Janne, HPK Hämeenlinna




Annunen, Teräväinen, Vaakanainen, Isiguzo, Räsänen, Kotkaniemi, Moilanen, Pajuniemi, Vesalainen, Ylönen cut from the Czech match rosters
Lindberg, Kupari new additions

 

[ijuka]

Ughhh.

I guess Finland just plans on showing up and getting whooped. Too bad that Kakko and Honka need to suffer through this. Well, hopefully they'll learn something useful.

 

[JJTT]

Ughhh.

I guess Finland just plans on showing up and getting whooped. Too bad that Kakko and Honka need to suffer through this. Well, hopefully they'll learn something useful.

Better to see which players are useless now instead the WJC's.

Don't understand why Kakko and Kupari are there when everyone else is missing

 

[Trilliann]

Ughhh.

I guess Finland just plans on showing up and getting whooped. Too bad that Kakko and Honka need to suffer through this. Well, hopefully they'll learn something useful.

Yeah
I guess the young ones can use the experience, more so than Vesalainen, Vaakanainen etc..? or something

 

[FinPanda]

Wow what a disappoitment. Oh well, I don't really care as long as Luukkonen isn't our starter at the WJC. Better now to see who will be useful at the WJC roster than just before the tournament.

Kakko is definitely the biggest star in this team.

 

[ChicagoBullsFan]

Will be world's 7th miracle if Finland wins even 1 game with that joke roster.

 

[Jussi]

This tournament has always been used to test the players playing in NA teams as there's no chance to do that during the season. Several of almost locked in players have Liiga pre-season/EHL game to focus on.

 

[JJTT]

This tournament has always been used to test the players playing in NA teams as there's no chance to do that during the season. Several of almost locked in players have Liiga pre-season/EHL game to focus on.

At least before we've send most of the top players, with couple of test players, not a full roster of nobodies. Last year only Tolvanen and Vesalainen were missing, now all of the best forwards outside Kakko, Talvitie and Kupari are.

2015-2016: Leijonat.fi - Nuoret Leijonat tällä joukkueella Lake Placidiin
2016-2017: http://www.tilastopalvelu.fi/ih/ser...88&season=2017&tid=954362883&sid=1465&lang=fi
2017-2018 http://www.tilastopalvelu.fi/ih/ser...76&season=2018&tid=954362883&sid=1465&lang=fi

 

[ChicagoBullsFan]

At least before we've send most of the top players, with couple of test players, not a full roster of nobodies. Last year only Tolvanen and Vesalainen were missing, now all of the best forwards outside Kakko, Talvitie and Kupari are.

2015-2016: Leijonat.fi - Nuoret Leijonat tällä joukkueella Lake Placidiin
2016-2017: http://www.tilastopalvelu.fi/ih/ser...88&season=2017&tid=954362883&sid=1465&lang=fi
2017-2018 http://www.tilastopalvelu.fi/ih/ser...76&season=2018&tid=954362883&sid=1465&lang=fi

That this years roster in Kamloops tournament is lousy joke.

 

[jalperi]

Awfull roster won Sweden.

 

[Erikfromfin]

Really liked Oskari Laaksonen vs Canada. I think his better than Anttoni Honka atm and could be the number 1 defensman at WJC even with Vaakanainen/Jokiharju in it. Really good with the puck. Ranta showcased good nose for the net with 2 goals and Talvitie was again good like usual. Lindberg could have catched first goal but was solid afterwards. Utunen was named best Finn of the match thou I didnt think he was that spectacular. Also liking Otto Latvalas game I think his improved in skating and mobility, could still become draft pick when all is said and done. Kakko got injured in his 1st or 2nd shift and didnt play rest of game also Maansaari was out of the game in 1st period aftermath of Comtois tackle.

 

[Erikfromfin]

USA game thoughts. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen had very strong game against USA made some key saves specially in 2nd period man of the match for me. From defence Aleksi Anttalainen and Oskari Laaksonen were really good. Anttalainen is solid defensive player his to Oskari Laaksonen like what Marc Methot was to Erik Karlsson. Not much offense in his game but some players are invisibly bad like Seppälä but Anttalainen is Invisibly good. Theyve paired now 6 U20 games and looks to be good pairing for WJC. From the fringe defenders Anttalainen,Utunen,Riekkinen,Salmela I think Anttalainen is strongest and best and most ready for this level. Havent been that impressed by Anttoni Honka, made some bad decicions with the puck and has some struggles defensivily. Some good outlet passes here and there in the 2 games but hasnt delivered much offensivily either. Clearly the jump from U18 to U20 NT for Honka,Utunen,Salmela has been big. Thou who knows how they will develope by christmas. From forwards Talvitie seems to be best players every game now. Engberg had few good chances to score particularly on 2 breakaways but doesnt seem to have much finish. Kuparis game is still work in progress he showcases the good skating and hands here and there but still hasnt found smart game.

 

[Erikfromfin]

Kupari had his best game vs Sweden when played on wing his clearly better there where he can challenge defensman outside with speed. Kakko played center on first line and did ok job nothing spectacular his goal was fluky redirect on powerplay. Nyman also had his best game with couple chances but couldnt finish. Lassi Lehtinen played in net thou didnt have best of performances. Nobody really stood out from defense on positive way Utunen and Riekkinen made couple bad plays that resulted 2 goals for Sweden. Overall 3 matches 3 losses was kinda what expected clearly the team was lacking firepower with just 7 goals in the tournament. Top5 Finns for me were Laaksonen, Talvitie, Ranta, Luukkonen and Anttalainen

 

[Wings4Life]

Really liked Oskari Laaksonen vs Canada. I think his better than Anttoni Honka atm and could be the number 1 defensman at WJC even with Vaakanainen/Jokiharju in it.

Laaksonen has improved, but he's still not better than either of those guys.

 

[ChicagoBullsFan]

Finland's roster 4 nations tournament in Sweden is announced.

Goalies
Annunen Justus, Kärpät Oulu
Luukkonen Ukko-Pekka, Sudbury Wolves (OHL)

Defencemans
Anttalainen Aleksi, Blainville-Boisbriand (QMJHL)
Jokiharju Henri, Chicago Blackhawks (NHL)
Kinnunen Santtu, Pelicans Lahti
Laitamäki Elias, Ilves Tampere
Latvala Otto, HPK Hämeenlinna
Nousiainen Kim, KalPa Kuopio
Thomson Lassi, Kelowna Rockets (WHL)

Forwards
Hirvonen Konsta, HIFK Helsinki
Killinen Lenni, Ässät Pori
Kivenmäki Otto, Ässät Pori
Koskenkorva Jesse, Kärpät Oulu
Kotkaniemi Jesperi, Montreal Canadiens (NHL)
Moilanen Sami, Tappara Tampere
Puustinen Valtteri, HPK Hämeenlinna
Päkkilä Eetu, Kärpät Oulu
Ranta Sampo, University of Wisconsin (NCAA)
Seppälä Erkka, HPK Hämeenlinna
Siikanen Patrik, Blues Espoo
Tanus Kristian, Tappara Tampere
Vesalainen Kristian

 

[ChicagoBullsFan]

Changes Finland's U20, 4 nations tournament team.
Here's updated roster.

Goalies
1 Luukkonen Ukko-Pekka, Sudbury Wolves (OHL)
31 Annunen Justus, Kärpät Oulu

Defencemans
4 Anttalainen Aleksi, Blainville-Boisbriand (QMJHL)
5 Kinnunen Santtu, Pelicans Lahti
6 Laitamäki Elias, Ilves Tampere
16 Jokiharju Henri, Chicago Blackhawks (NHL)
21 Latvala Otto, HPK Hämeenlinna
23 Nousiainen Kim, KalPa Kuopio
28 Thomson Lassi, Kelowna Rockets (WHL)

Forwards:
9 Kotkaniemi Jesperi, Montreal Canadiens (NHL)
10 Hirvonen Konsta, HIFK Helsinki
12 Seppälä Erkka, HPK Hämeenlinna
13 Päkkilä Eetu, Kärpät Oulu
18 Moilanen Sami, Tappara Tampere
22 Koskenkorva Jesse, Kärpät Oulu
24 Killinen Lenni, Blues Espoo
32 Tanus Kristian, Tappara Tampere
33 Krannila Jami
34 Kivenmäki Otto, Ässät Pori
35 Luusuaniemi Aatu, SaiPa Lappeenranta
36 Nevasaari Arttu, TPS Turku
37 Puustinen Valtteri, HPK Hämeenlinna

Replaced players Kristian Vesalainen, Sampo Ranta and Patrik Siikanen

 

[MasterMatt25]

Changes Finland's U20, 4 nations tournament team.
Here's updated roster.

Goalies
1 Luukkonen Ukko-Pekka, Sudbury Wolves (OHL)
31 Annunen Justus, Kärpät Oulu

Defencemans
4 Anttalainen Aleksi, Blainville-Boisbriand (QMJHL)
5 Kinnunen Santtu, Pelicans Lahti
6 Laitamäki Elias, Ilves Tampere
16 Jokiharju Henri, Chicago Blackhawks (NHL)
21 Latvala Otto, HPK Hämeenlinna
23 Nousiainen Kim, KalPa Kuopio
28 Thomson Lassi, Kelowna Rockets (WHL)

Forwards:
9 Kotkaniemi Jesperi, Montreal Canadiens (NHL)
10 Hirvonen Konsta, HIFK Helsinki
12 Seppälä Erkka, HPK Hämeenlinna
13 Päkkilä Eetu, Kärpät Oulu
18 Moilanen Sami, Tappara Tampere
22 Koskenkorva Jesse, Kärpät Oulu
24 Killinen Lenni, Blues Espoo
32 Tanus Kristian, Tappara Tampere
33 Krannila Jami
34 Kivenmäki Otto, Ässät Pori
35 Luusuaniemi Aatu, SaiPa Lappeenranta
36 Nevasaari Arttu, TPS Turku
37 Puustinen Valtteri, HPK Hämeenlinna

Replaced players Kristian Vesalainen, Sampo Ranta and Patrik Siikanen

Where's Kupari?

 

[Keke]

Where's Kupari?

It's just a pre-season tournament. Lots of other guys missing as well

 

[JJTT]

Looks like Ikonen will miss the WJC. KalPa reported that he is returning between weeks 52-2.

Katsaus KalPan sairastuvalle - 10.8.2018