Is there cause for concern in Finnish ice hockey? Experts don’t paint big threat pictures despite failed JVM

A normal decline or cause for concern? Finland’s departure from the JVM gave reason to check the situation in the blue-and-white ice hockey factory. In a smaller country, talent production goes in waves, according to a talent scout.

Finland’s efforts in the Junior World Cup in ice hockey led to criticism. After many successful tournaments, the Junior Lions went to the quarter-finals against Sweden.

In terms of results, the tournament was weak, and in terms of play, Finland did not impress very often.

And in terms of material, the discussion about the individual level of the players was raised. Has Finland fallen behind compared to the other major nations?

– Of course I feel some concern about whether Finland’s system delivers the greatest talents in the world, says Janne Vuorinen – responsible for the NHL’s scouting activities in Europe – to Howl.

If you look at the last years that have been selected in the NHL draft, the number of Finnish players in the first round has decreased significantly. Last summer, Joakim Kemell and Brad Lambert went in the first round, but neither was selected in the first ten.

– Before this, we had years with several top ten picks, players who, in terms of talent, are among the best in the world, says Vuorinen.

Even thickness level

In the upcoming draft, HIFK defender Kasper Halttunen and Ässät forward Lenni Hämeenaho are expected to be possible choices in the first round.

Vuorinen dubs the level of the players of recent years as even thick.

– Among those born in 2006 there are some players with really high potential, but of course one would hope for even greater breadth.

Vuorinen’s scout colleague Sasu Hovi, who works for the Seattle Kraken, reminds at the same time that Finland has always built its successes on a strong collective rather than individuals.

– That’s why Finland always has a chance in a tournament. And you have to remember that Finland is a fairly small country. There will be years when the big promises are missing.

“Everything goes in waves”

Broadly speaking, Finland’s strongest year was 2017. Then six players were selected in the first round of the NHL draft, with Miro Heiskanen third overall. The year before, Finland had three players in the top five, with Patrik Laine second.

Former scout and sports manager Jukka Holtari sees no reason to paint too big a threat.

Holtari notes that despite everything, Finland led the quarter-finals of the JVM when four minutes remained in the third period. Games for the medals were therefore not that far away.

– Everything goes in waves. It may well continue to go up and down a bit.

– Over the years, it has been thought that the hockey league should be destroyed 73 times and the national team’s activities should look like this and that. Ways have always been developed to assert themselves in the competition.

Looking ahead to the 2024 NHL draft, two Finnish players are expected to be able to go early: Aron Kiviharju and Konsta Helenius. Kiviharju was selected for the Finnish JVM team this year as a 16-year-old, but had to settle for sitting in the stands.

The article is a translation and adaptation of Yle Urheilu’s article “Mihin Suomi-kiekon kuppulupaukset katosivat? Nuoret Leijonat putosi kiuppamaiden kyydistä – tältä vuodet vuodet päätätä”.