Finland on the rebound after disastrous showing at last year’s WJC
It was nothing short of a disaster for Finland at last year’s World Juniors in Toronto and Montreal.
The Finns won just one game in the group stage and finished last in their group, behind teams like Switzerland and Denmark who they historically dominate. Rather than advancing to the playoffs, Finals had to play against Latvia in order to save themselves from being relegated. They won both games, but only by scores of 2-1 and 4-1, not impressive considering Latvia’s -23 goal differential in the group stage.
It was an especially disappointing result especially considering the success Finland had seen at the tournament in previous years.
In 2014, led by tournament scoring leader Teuvo Teravainen, a rock solid blueline with Rasmus Ristolainen, and Juuse Saros in net, the Fins beat Sweden in Malmo for their first gold medal victory in 16 years.
But 2016 was the exclamation point. The Fins had perhaps their best roster in tournament history, featuring top prospects Patrik Laine, Jesse Puljujarvi, and Olli Juolevi, who ended up going second, fourth, and fifth overall in the 2016 NHL draft. They edged out Canada in the quarterfinal, Sweden in the semifinal, and Russia in the gold medal game with a thrilling overtime goal by Kasperi Kapanen to capture gold in front of a jam-packed stadium in Helsinki.
There was definitely a hangover heading into 2017’s tournament. Neither Aho, Puljujarvi or Laine were released for the tournament because they were playing in the NHL, and key players like Mikko Rantanen and Kapanen graduated due to age. The only key player from the 2016 team that spilled over on to the 2017 team was Juolevi, who wore the captain’s C on his chest for the country’s near-relegation.
The goal for Finland now is to avoid another disappointing finish. They don’t boast the same firepower they did in 2014 and 2016, but they also have a handful of returning players which gives the squad more experience to build from.
Juolevi will be back for his third tournament and will anchor the team’s blueline. With him will be No. 3 overall pick from the 2017 NHL draft Miro Heiskanen, who’s scoring at an incredible pace with HIFK this season. Up front, many eyes will be on Eeli Tolvanen, the No. 30 overall pick from last year’s draft who’s currently leading Jokerit Helsinki of the KHL in scoring as an 18-year-old. He’ll be the team’s top gunner along with Winnipeg Jets’ first-rounder Kristian Vesalainen and 2018 top draft prospects Rasmus Kupari.
It isn’t quite the Laine and Puljujarvi show with two elite talents, but the Fins have a strong group here to work with. Winning gold is likely a long shot, but the goal for this Finland team is to have a much better showing than they did last season and to compete for a medal.
FINLAND’S PRELIMINARY WJC ROSTER
GOALIES
Niilo Halonen, HIFK
Lassi Lehtinen, Lukko
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, HPK
DEFENSEMEN
Miro Heiskanen, HIFK
Henri Jokiharju, Portland Winterhawks (WHL)
Olli Juolevi, TPS
Kasper Kotkansalo, Boston University (NCAA)
Roope Laavainen, HPK
Eemeli Räsänen, Kingston Frontenacs
Robin Salo, Sport
Urho Vaakanainen, SaiPa
Juuso Välimäki, Tri-City Americans
FORWARDS
Aleksi Heponiemi, Swift Current Broncos
Joni Ikonen, KalPa
Jere Innala, HPK
Juha Jääskä, HIFK
Otto Koivula, Ilves
Joona Koppanen, Ilves
Janne Kuokkanen, Carolina Hurricanes
Rasmus Kupari, Kärpät
Eetu Luostarinen, KalPa
Sami Moilanen, Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)
Markus Nurmi, TPS
Aapeli Räsänen, Boston College (NCAA)
Eeli Tolvanen, Jokerit
Jerry Turkulainen, JYP
Eetu Tuulola, HPK
Kristian Vesalainen, HPK