WJC: Team Finland 2024 U20 WJC roster Talk.

[ChicagoBullsFan]

Usually i'm quite optimistic before this tournament, but Jääkiekkoliitto makes it pretty hard nowadays. First they built an identity to Finnish hockey and now they are wrecking it with these coaches. Basically they hire coaches to our national teams that flopped in Liiga and don't even care to continue that Jalonen/Pennanen tradition.

After Lämsä disaster last year, i don't want to torture myself with Mikkola. If anything, i'm more focused on individual players and we sure have few very interesting ones.

Liitto is a master to screw up alot of things these days.
And it is not getting better in near future because some weird reason
liitto decided to hire Olli Salo next top sport director

Would be interesting to get know who's asses Salo had kiss and lick to get that job.
Kari Jalonen or Erkka Westerlund would've both been better options.

Kemell may not have wanted to come. He probably doesn't see himself as a junior player anymore.

No shit Sherlock.
You didn't tell any news by stating that
because even jackass knows that Kemell is graduaded from juniors.

 

[Statsy]

Are you stupid or total idiot?
Kemell is done with junior national teams and his career in U20 WJC's is over.

If Kemell wants to IIHF worlds tournament this season
he can join to Team Finland's IIHF men's worlds training trainig camp
when Nashville's NHL is over after regular season and Millwaukee Admirals is not making to AHL playoffs.


How in the hell that regards to Team Finland?
Kulich is a Czech just an notice.

So can we keep this thread only Finnish players and Finland's U20 WJC team.
If you guys wanna talk other players do it somewhere else.

Even among your own countrymen you are alone on an island with this one. Regardless of whether or not Kemell feels he’s graduated this level, it’s clearly a blow to the team. By the way, the team itself certainly hasn’t written off their medal chances as you have.

As for the mention of Kulich, that CLEARLY relates to Kemell. How did you not pick that up? Are you stupid or total idiot?

 

[ChicagoBullsFan]

Seriously? What a weird way to look at things.

If your goal is to whine Finland missing Kemell
and think that Finland lacks goal-scoring i don't know what to think.

But just an notice to you.
We ( Finland ) have players who can score goals
Hämeenaho and Nyman have been TOP10 goal-scorer in SM liiga whole year.

Hemming can score too so Helenius, Keskinen, Kumpulainen and Kaskimäki.
Halttunen and Kärki have both scored over 10 goals in OHL.

So how f***ing many goal-scorers you want on that Team Finland U20 WJC's roster.
If you want worry some individual skill lack on Finland's U20 WJC team
worry about defence because that's the weakest link for this team.

 

[Svedu]

If Kulich plays and we didn't get Kemell? I consider both Slovakia and Czechia a bit better than Finland this year. Even if it's close. The gap to those three above is sadly huge this year.
Slovakia have greater depth at the forward position and both Strbak and Radojevic are interesting together with two decent or good goalies.
Czechia with especially Kulich, Sapovaliv, Sale and others like Rymon, Sapousek, Jiricek and other good d's and a good goaltender will also be a close one.

 

[Statsy]

So how f***ing many goal-scorers you want on that Team Finland U20 WJC's roster.
If you want worry some individual skill lack on Finland's U20 WJC team worry about defence because that's the weakest link for this team.

Well, I would prefer if they had their BEST goal scorer there. You can never have too many. And yes, defence may be a concern, but if they had a top defender that just was announced as not coming then we would be talking about that.

I think we're all well within our rights to bemoan that Kemell isn't coming as fans of this tournament, and this team specifically.

 

[Jukurit]

Is Kaskimaki expected to play at C or W?

W

 

[ChicagoBullsFan]

Well, I would prefer if they had their BEST goal scorer there. You can never have too many. And yes, defence may be a concern, but if they had a top defender that just was announced as not coming then we would be talking about that.

I think we're all well within our rights to bemoan that Kemell isn't coming as fans of this tournament, and this team specifically.

I don't care piece of shit Finland's team succes in these U20 WJC's.
I'm gonna watching players like Kokko, Nyman, Kärki, Halttunen, Kaskimäki and Hemming.

And that shouldn't tickle your ass by any means.
Last years U20 WJC and U18 WJC disgraces with joke coaches
Lämsä and Merikivi are the reason why i don't have any trust of Lauri Mikkola and his coaching staff.

Mikkola is U20 head coach only because he knew how to lick and kiss right asses to get well paid job in Finnish hockey association because better option ( Kari Jalonen ) was hired somewhere else

 

[Svedu]

It's hockey and everything can happen but I think this roster is pretty weak considering how strong we've been these last years and compared to rosters before.
I don't expect a medal for one second. Coaching will be questionable and no Kemell.

For me it's:
1. Sweden
2. The US
3. Canada
And these are really close, both those above and those under.
4. Slovakia, i have them above those two under because of their forward depth.
5 Czechia/Finland

 

[Svedu]

This years defensive lineup could be tricky and uncertain for this tournament.
I have a hard time seeing Veeti Väisänen being physically ready when we are facing Sweden, The US or Canada. Although a big prospect. I hope he will not only be given time just because of future potential if he's not ready. Let's see...
When is saw that exhibition game against Sweden a while ago I actually thought Kulonummi was lacklustering. Didn't have that intense tempo I wish to see and it will be interesting to follow him if he's actually up for this level and those tougher opponents.

Personally I really do hope the coaches are "Brave" and do have the competence to mix it up this year because I'm not at all sure those names who became more famous or known earlier on like Salin and Kulonummi would be better than Pulkkinen or Kärki, actually quite the opposite. First time I feel like som risers should be given the opportunity and confidence to play to their strengths.
If Pieniniemi and and Kangas or others are more defensively sound than Kulonummi or Salin, especially faster and tougher and so on? I would love to see them paired with Pulkkinen and perhaps even Kärki as the top pairs. We need balance. Just hope that the coach is able to see that like Jalonen and especially selecting those who actually perform and not their names or earlier showings.

 

[king89]

Missed that we had an exhibition game yesterday against Slovakia. Final result 5-1, goalscorers were Lassila X2, Hämeenaho, Kaskimäki and Keskinen. These were the lines they rolled with
Maalilla:
31 Noa Vali
Varalla:
1 Eemil Vinni
1:
19 Janne Naukkarinen – 17 Konsta Helenius – 5 Lenni Hämeenaho
15 Jesse Pulkkinen – 6 Kasper Kulonummi
2:
24 Aleksanteri Kaskimäki – 7 Jere Lassila – 22 Kasper Halttunen
28 Veeti Väisänen – 12 Joona Väisänen
3:
14 Rasmus Kumpulainen – 20 Oiva Keskinen – 29 Jani Nyman
10 Emil Pieniniemi – 3 Otto Salin
4:
18 Emil Hemming – 21 Samu Bau – 23 Jesse Kiiskinen
13 Kalle Kangas – 4 Arttu Kärki

Tomorrow we play against the Czechs and I think it's the last game before the tournament starts.

 

[JJTT]

Did anybody watch the practice game vs Slovakia? What were the pp units?

 

[ChicagoBullsFan]

2024 World Junior Championship Preview: Team Finland

There used to be a time when the only consistent thing about Finland was their inconsistency. One year, they’d win...

www.dailyfaceoff.com

 

[Erikfromfin]

Did anybody watch the practice game vs Slovakia? What were the pp units?

vs Czechia 1st unit Kärki,Helenius,Nyman,Kaskimäki,Hämeenaho
2nd unit Kulonummi,Halttunen,Lassila,Keskinen,Hemming

not sure what happened Lassila was replaced by Kumpulainen in 2nd

 

[Erikfromfin]

looks like Lassila got injured in 2nd or something... i missed it

 

[JJTT]

Lool, why the hell they are playing every game at 14.30 swedish time? Can't watch any of them next week.

 

[king89]

looks like Lassila got injured in 2nd or something... i missed it

Hopefully it's nothing serious.

Overall a promising showing from us I think. Thought we looked quite organised and I liked how we forechecked high and finished our checks.

 

[ChicagoBullsFan]

Leijonat - U20 Nuoret Leijonat MM-kisoihin tällä joukkueella

Nuorten Leijonien joukkue Ruotsin Göteborgissa 26.12.2023–5.1.2024 pelattaviin alle 20-vuotiaiden MM-kisoihin on nimetty. Joukkueen kokoonpano vahvistettiin perjantaina Ruotsin Halmstadissa päättyneen MM-leirijakson päätteeksi. Suomi lähtee turnaukseen täll&a...

www.leijonat.fi

Maalivahdit:
1 Vinni Eemil, JoKP Joensuu
30 Kokko Niklas, Kärpät Oulu
31 Vali Noa, TPS Turku

Puolustajat:
3 Salin Otto, HIFK Helsinki
4 Kärki Arttu, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds OHL
6 Kulonummi Kasper, Tappara Tampere
10 Pieniniemi Emil, Kärpät Oulu
12 Väisänen Joona, Dubuque Fighting Saints USHL
13 Kangas Kalle, Jokerit Helsinki
15 Pulkkinen Jesse, JYP Jyväskylä

Hyökkääjät:
18 Kumpulainen Rasmus, Oshawa Generals OHL
19 Helenius Konsta, Jukurit Mikkeli
20 Keskinen Oiva, Tappara Tampere
21 Bau Samu, Ilves Tampere
22 Halttunen Kasper, London Knights OHL
24 Kaskimäki Aleksanteri, HIFK Helsinki
25 Koskipirtti Max, Michigan Tech Univ. NCAA
28 Lassila Jere, JYP Jyväskylä
29 Hämeenaho Lenni, Ässät Pori
32 Hemming Emil, TPS Turku
33 Nyman Jani, Ilves Tampere
34 Männistö Tommi, Michigan State Univ. NCAA
36 Naukkarinen Janne, SaiPa Lappeenranta

Johtoryhmä:
Pesonen Janne, joukkueenjohtaja
Mikkola Lauri, päävalmentaja
Kuhta Kimmo, valmentaja
Silander Jussi, valmentaja
Jokinen Jussi, valmentaja
Hilli Santeri, videovalmentaja
Korhonen Markus, mv-valmentaja
Niinikorpi Juhani, lääkäri
Nakari Juha, fysioterapeutti
Rouhiainen Mika, fysioterapeutti
Kuisma Niko, huoltaja
Väyrynen Matti, huoltaja
Oikarinen Kimmo, GM

 

[king89]

Leijonat - U20 Nuoret Leijonat MM-kisoihin tällä joukkueella

Nuorten Leijonien joukkue Ruotsin Göteborgissa 26.12.2023–5.1.2024 pelattaviin alle 20-vuotiaiden MM-kisoihin on nimetty. Joukkueen kokoonpano vahvistettiin perjantaina Ruotsin Halmstadissa päättyneen MM-leirijakson päätteeksi. Suomi lähtee turnaukseen täll&a...

www.leijonat.fi

Maalivahdit:
1 Vinni Eemil, JoKP Joensuu
30 Kokko Niklas, Kärpät Oulu
31 Vali Noa, TPS Turku

Puolustajat:
3 Salin Otto, HIFK Helsinki
4 Kärki Arttu, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds OHL
6 Kulonummi Kasper, Tappara Tampere
10 Pieniniemi Emil, Kärpät Oulu
12 Väisänen Joona, Dubuque Fighting Saints USHL
13 Kangas Kalle, Jokerit Helsinki
15 Pulkkinen Jesse, JYP Jyväskylä

Hyökkääjät:
18 Kumpulainen Rasmus, Oshawa Generals OHL
19 Helenius Konsta, Jukurit Mikkeli
20 Keskinen Oiva, Tappara Tampere
21 Bau Samu, Ilves Tampere
22 Halttunen Kasper, London Knights OHL
24 Kaskimäki Aleksanteri, HIFK Helsinki
25 Koskipirtti Max, Michigan Tech Univ. NCAA
28 Lassila Jere, JYP Jyväskylä
29 Hämeenaho Lenni, Ässät Pori
32 Hemming Emil, TPS Turku
33 Nyman Jani, Ilves Tampere
34 Männistö Tommi, Michigan State Univ. NCAA
36 Naukkarinen Janne, SaiPa Lappeenranta

Johtoryhmä:
Pesonen Janne, joukkueenjohtaja
Mikkola Lauri, päävalmentaja
Kuhta Kimmo, valmentaja
Silander Jussi, valmentaja
Jokinen Jussi, valmentaja
Hilli Santeri, videovalmentaja
Korhonen Markus, mv-valmentaja
Niinikorpi Juhani, lääkäri
Nakari Juha, fysioterapeutti
Rouhiainen Mika, fysioterapeutti
Kuisma Niko, huoltaja
Väyrynen Matti, huoltaja
Oikarinen Kimmo, GM

So Väisänen and Kiiskinen got cut. It would have been nice to keep them so they can gather some experience for next year but oh well.

 

[Svedu]

Overall pretty satisfied with the end selection, especially regarding Veeti Väisänen. He still has two more years and if he's not ready for the physicality in the tougher games I do believe this was the right decision. I mean Elmeri Laakso was cut off as well. And also with the late blooming Pulkkinen and especially a PP-specialist in Kärki I didn't see the need of him this year. Prefer either other defensive minded or just more capable defenders in their own zone. But I do hope and believe Veeti will get his chance later on.

Other thoughts: Still interesting Hokkanen never managed to take a bottom 6 spot in the WJC's although playing in Liiga for 2-3 years.
Let's hope Männistö can be a better role player than Kiiskinen because his merits are perhaps a bit under, but I haven't seen him play and I like the scouts opinions. Should be a decent role player.
Also quite baffled how some organizations, Kookoo for an example, have a hard developing some talents. A bit disappointed that Nurmi hasn't seemed to take any bigger steps and that he's nowadays trending to become a bottom 6 tops next year.

Well, the games against Canada and Sweden will be interesting! Those exhibition wins won't matter at all and especially against the Czechs because I have a feeling they will be a lot better when it matters.
Sweden are gold favorites followed by the US and then Canada. I consider Slovakia, Finland and the Czechs as outsiders.

Really, really excited to follow our goaltenders, Pulkkinen, Kärki, the other Väisänen, Hemming and Helenius. This years team feels so much more uncertain in some ways. Could be good, but could also be pretty bad.
Nyman should be a sure bet at this level already, I hope so.

 

[SantosHalper]

Nyman - Helenius - Hämeenaho
Kaskimäki - Lassila - Halttunen
Kumpulainen - Keskinen - Hemming
Bau - Koskipirtti - Männistö
Naukkarinen

Kärki - Väisänen
Pulkkinen - Salin
Pieniniemi - Kulonummi
Kangas

Kokko
Vali/Vinni

Even without Kemell offense still looks good, scoring threath, playmakers, 2-way players and couple physical grinders. Bit surprised that Veeti Väisänen was cut but i can understand the motive behind it, Joona Väisänen is about year and half older, he should be physically more mature and J.Väisänen being RHD balances the D pairs better.

Many 19-years old, perhaps more than usually. Not a bad strategy, Russia use to do it back in the day. Basically the whole team was filled with 19-years old players, they should be more ready physically. I was hoping that Finland plays simple gritty blue collar hockey and it looks like they have tools for it. Q-final win would be massive achievement but medals are very far away, it would require some luck.

I don't have much faith in Mikkola's coaching skills but he build a quite nice team. Rumour is that he is the next head coach of SaiPa and KJ is still available, 1+1 is 2? If i was in Nokka's boots i wouldn't consider a single offer from Liiga teams. If there is a person who has played Liiga through, it is Kari Jalonen. Past few years it has seemed that Kari is very determined to win gold from NT tournament, since Finland's and Czechia's men's national teams are now out of the picture, U20 national team is the only opportunity left.

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

i see that y'all have kaskimaki at wing. has he been playing more w or c in liiga? where does he project in nhl (if he makes it)? thanks.

 

[Scouter]

This team could win it all just by the fact they might have the best goalies, I mean their top 2 goalies are doing well in Liiga and they have nice other players including a 17 y/o doing well in Liiga, probably an underrated team for sure.

 

[JabbaJabba]

I guess Lassila should be ok then because they didn't send him home? Still a couple of days until the games start.

 

[JJTT]

i see that y'all have kaskimaki at wing. has he been playing more w or c in liiga? where does he project in nhl (if he makes it)? thanks.

W pretty much all the time. Projects as w also.

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

W pretty much all the time. Projects as w also.

Thanks. why do you think he projects better at wing?