I don't know but it feels like a bad sign that they haven't decided on a captain yet. In the four nation tournament Koivunen was captain, in yesterday's practice game Kapanen was captain. It feels like in every successful Finnish WJC team there have been a clear cut captain. Teräväinen, Talvitie, Lundell, Hirvonen etc. I think we all remember Thomson in 19/20 lol.
Team Finland 2023 U20 WJC roster talk
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In recent years the captains have been announced only few days before the tournament. Of the 2021 U18 captain and one alternate captain didn't make the team, Vilen was the other alternate back then.
So I can see Koivunen, Kapanen and Vilen being the three in whatever order.
So I can see Koivunen, Kapanen and Vilen being the three in whatever order.
Svedu
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- Apr 23, 2019
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You are actually on to something here.
I remember Talvitie as the biggest leader we've had when it comes to attitude.
Also remember Teräväinen showing everyone how good he really can be without any hesitation, outscoring the opponents stars such as Forsberg and others in every single game in that tournament back in the days. He was truly impressive. Probably the biggest MVP in these WJC's tournaments I've ever witnessed.
Lundell as well, like really stepping up and showing pure star quality.
I just don't see anything remotely close to that this year, of course hoping I'm wrong.
Next year will be better but I still think this team can do something as long as they get decent to good goaltending and if Lämsä plays Vilen - Heimosalmi pairing a lot. Like A LOT lol.
Jukurit
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But which of the goaltenders are actually good? Koskenvuo's stats are just bad over the last couple of seasons. Kokko's and Lampinen's stats in Mestis are ok, but it's still only Mestis.
Yeah none of them are having impressive seasons but in a short tournament like this you can get good goaltending from a not so impressive goaltender, seen it many times.
Jukurit
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Rinne will disguise himself as Koskenvuo. Easy gold for Finland.
Svedu
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Well next year could be a toss up between Vinni, Lampinen, Kokko, Leinonen and Vali. Right now I feel like that the 2005 born goalies have a brighter future and longterm potential.
Vinni feels like he's already established himself a name as a prospect, but then again, it's a bit more difficult to speculate regarding goalies.
But I feel like he is getting some limelight that remembers me of goalies like Saros and a bit more than even Husso, Luukkonen and so on. Again, Lankinen was also born 95 and went somewhat under the radar because of Saros brilliance. So who knows when it's all written and done. Especially after seeing a lot of the Finnish players struggle these 12-24 months.
As I've mentioned already, I'm really not sure Koivunen is better than he was 18 months ago, Lambert 2 years ago, Kemell 18 months ago.
Fact is that only Vilén, Huuhtanen and Heimosalmi feel like the only ones who have steadily progressed in this roster out of the older prospects. Perhaps Oliver Kapanen as well. Among the leading players that is.
Of course you have Hämeenaho and Nyman but I won't expect them to lead this team already, even if I can se Nyman produce a whole lot.
Back to the goalies. Overall we should hope and expect that someone of these goalies should be a stronger option than Koskenvuo or Kokko will by this year. Because for me, Koskenvuo is a liability as for now. Not necessarily bad, I've seen him win some games but he's like Korpisalo as a prospect for me. There is something that doesn't fit for me and with Koskenvuo it's clearly how overly aggressive he can be and leave to much of the net open for my liking. Like he's hugging one post and when the opponent crosses a crisp pass he has sold himself too much to be able to save the puck in the end.
But who knows, he's young and perhaps Rinne can work wonders for him. Let's hope so!
When reflecting, it's pretty amazing that I feel like this is a off year for us when I don't consider us a sure bet at top3. I've more or less always felt we've been there for these last 8-9 years or so. Even with Russia participating.
So in that way that's a big sign of how much the scenery has changed and how well Finland are producing talents these last years. So I will have to say I'm grateful and while adding that the expectations nowadays are a lot higher than back then.
With that said, this year I feel like Sweden will be better than us as well, together with NA teams and perhaps even Czechia (Their D could be amazing). I also saw Sale last year at the WJC-18's, that kid had something special in him and could've scored a lot more points with some more luck. Could be their next Necas kind of talent.
I'm also looking forward to see how Dvorsky will manage against us and vice versa. So even If we are not the strongest this year there is still a lot of fun and exciting prospects to follow.
Vinni feels like he's already established himself a name as a prospect, but then again, it's a bit more difficult to speculate regarding goalies.
But I feel like he is getting some limelight that remembers me of goalies like Saros and a bit more than even Husso, Luukkonen and so on. Again, Lankinen was also born 95 and went somewhat under the radar because of Saros brilliance. So who knows when it's all written and done. Especially after seeing a lot of the Finnish players struggle these 12-24 months.
As I've mentioned already, I'm really not sure Koivunen is better than he was 18 months ago, Lambert 2 years ago, Kemell 18 months ago.
Fact is that only Vilén, Huuhtanen and Heimosalmi feel like the only ones who have steadily progressed in this roster out of the older prospects. Perhaps Oliver Kapanen as well. Among the leading players that is.
Of course you have Hämeenaho and Nyman but I won't expect them to lead this team already, even if I can se Nyman produce a whole lot.
Back to the goalies. Overall we should hope and expect that someone of these goalies should be a stronger option than Koskenvuo or Kokko will by this year. Because for me, Koskenvuo is a liability as for now. Not necessarily bad, I've seen him win some games but he's like Korpisalo as a prospect for me. There is something that doesn't fit for me and with Koskenvuo it's clearly how overly aggressive he can be and leave to much of the net open for my liking. Like he's hugging one post and when the opponent crosses a crisp pass he has sold himself too much to be able to save the puck in the end.
But who knows, he's young and perhaps Rinne can work wonders for him. Let's hope so!
When reflecting, it's pretty amazing that I feel like this is a off year for us when I don't consider us a sure bet at top3. I've more or less always felt we've been there for these last 8-9 years or so. Even with Russia participating.
So in that way that's a big sign of how much the scenery has changed and how well Finland are producing talents these last years. So I will have to say I'm grateful and while adding that the expectations nowadays are a lot higher than back then.
With that said, this year I feel like Sweden will be better than us as well, together with NA teams and perhaps even Czechia (Their D could be amazing). I also saw Sale last year at the WJC-18's, that kid had something special in him and could've scored a lot more points with some more luck. Could be their next Necas kind of talent.
I'm also looking forward to see how Dvorsky will manage against us and vice versa. So even If we are not the strongest this year there is still a lot of fun and exciting prospects to follow.
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So the Canada game begins today at19:30 Finnish time I believe, but is it coming from free TV? It's been hard to find info about that. Have to pay to watch?
Any pay channels showing the game?Game starts at 6:30pm EST. Not sure about free streams
Game starts at 6:30pm EST. Not sure about free streams
Ty for the info. So it's pretty late then. I thought that it's in Finnish time, but logically thinking that would've been pretty early local time in Canada. If I remember right it was Leijonat.fi that was giving wrong info regarding time zones, which confused me.
BerthMania
Registered User
What about Kiviharju? I see he's on the roster, but is he already good enough yet or he'll have a secondary role?
No problem. For a sec I got confused too.
Secondary role I reckon. But let's see how he does tonight.
FinPanda
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Merry Christmas guys. Slightly early but its only an hour and half away for us so. 
Czechboy
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Do you think he'll end up in the Honka, JP and Juolevi pile? They all have elite skillsets too. Or does he rise above and become a solid Top 6 NHL winger?
Line up against Canada. Kemell sitting out. Vilén and Kiviharju playing.
24 Ville Koivunen – 27 Oliver Kapanen – 33 Brad Lambert
10 Topias Vilén – 21 Aleksi Heimosalmi
2:
29 Niko Huuhtanen – 18 Verner Miettinen – 22 Jani Nyman
7 Aleksi Malinen – 3 Otto Salin
3:
25 Konsta Kapanen – 28 Sami Päivärinta – 23 Kalle Väisänen
2 Jimi Suomi – 6 Kalle Ervasti
4:
34 Aleksanteri Kaskimäki – 13 Topi Rönni – 15 Lenni Hämeenaho
12 Aron Kiviharju – 4 Ville Ruotsalainen
13. ja 14. hyökkääjä:
37 Joakim Kemell – 36 Jere Lassila
31 Jani Lampinen (1 Niklas Kokko)
Nuorten Leijonien kokoonpano:
1:24 Ville Koivunen – 27 Oliver Kapanen – 33 Brad Lambert
10 Topias Vilén – 21 Aleksi Heimosalmi
2:
29 Niko Huuhtanen – 18 Verner Miettinen – 22 Jani Nyman
7 Aleksi Malinen – 3 Otto Salin
3:
25 Konsta Kapanen – 28 Sami Päivärinta – 23 Kalle Väisänen
2 Jimi Suomi – 6 Kalle Ervasti
4:
34 Aleksanteri Kaskimäki – 13 Topi Rönni – 15 Lenni Hämeenaho
12 Aron Kiviharju – 4 Ville Ruotsalainen
13. ja 14. hyökkääjä:
37 Joakim Kemell – 36 Jere Lassila
31 Jani Lampinen (1 Niklas Kokko)
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