WJC: Team Finland 2018 U20 WJC Roster Talk

[Icejoker]

it depends on how JP plays in the AHL , if he has a bad time there then maybe Oilers think it could be good for his self confidence to play in JWC.

 

[Ippenator]

Why Puljujarvi should play in world juniors and what he has to prove in junior world championships.
He's already won U20 and U18 gold medals so Jesse doesn't have nothing to prove anymore in U20 WJC's.

And how playing in upcoming world juniors helps Jesse's development and makes him NHL player.
I know this hurt and you probably don't like this.
But the fact is that Puljujarvi is ''graduated'' from Finland's U20 team so try deal with it.

Sorry to say, but I think you’re a bit lost with this. I mean don’t you seriously realize that national team hockey is not really about playing for yourself, but for your country and trying to help your national team to win gold.

Pulju has already clearly shown that national teams are really important for him and I’m in fact pretty sure that if he will be released by his pro teams, he will take part in the U20 WJC tournament. But what I do still doubt quite much is that his teams would really release him. Anyway, we should know about this pretty soon.

 

[rickardr]

Sorry to say, but I think you’re a bit lost with this. I mean don’t you seriously realize that national team hockey is not really about playing for yourself, but for your country and trying to help your national team to win gold.

Pulju has already clearly shown that national teams are really important for him and I’m in fact pretty sure that if he will be released by his pro teams, he will take part in the U20 WJC tournament. But what I do still doubt quite much is that his teams would really release him. Anyway, we should know about this pretty soon.

Amen.

 

[ChicagoBullsFan]

Sorry to say, but I think you’re a bit lost with this. I mean don’t you seriously realize that national team hockey is not really about playing for yourself, but for your country and trying to help your national team to win gold.

Pulju has already clearly shown that national teams are really important for him and I’m in fact pretty sure that if he will be released by his pro teams, he will take part in the U20 WJC tournament. But what I do still doubt quite much is that his teams would really release him. Anyway, we should know about this pretty soon.

One thing first.
I'm not said i don't want Puljujarvi to world juniors.

When i said Pulju is graduated from junior national team i meant that he's pro player whose career the next step should be becoming of fulltime NHL player and i was asking how playing in world juniors helps Jesse to do that.

Of course if Jesse really is available he'll be huge add for Finland.
And what more firepower Finland has in their offence that better for Finland's gold medal chances.
But whether Oilers and Bakersfield managements interested to release Puljujarvi to world juniors that's the question.

If both teams ( Oilers and Bakersfield) shows green light on release Puljujarvi to world juniors very well then.
But if Puljujarvi joins Finland's team then it could be mean that one of Kupari, Kotkaniemi and Ylonen isn't on the final team.

Here's my Finland roster prediction with Puljujarvi.

1st line Tolvanen Heponiemi Puljujarvi
Heiskanen Vaakanainen

2nd Line Vesalainen Kuokkanen Koivula
Juolevi Jokiharju

3rd line Kotkaniemi A Rasanen Ikonen
Valimaki Salo

4th Line Jääskä Koppanen Tuulola
13th forward Emil Oksanen / Rasmus Kupari / Jesse Ylonen
7th defenceman E Rasanen / Kotkansalo / Laavainen

goalies
Luukkonen
Halonen
Makiniemi.

Dark horses
Linus Nyman
Jerry Turkulainen
Aarne Talvitie
Niklas Nordgren ( only if he becomes liiga regular in HIFK)
Otto Somppi
Sami Moilanen

 

[Icejoker]

Last time Finland dont have a liiga goalie was 2012(saved in relegation) and if You look at the Junior Liiga stats, Who is Vilho Heikkinen ?

 

[HockeyHistorian]

In the team if available. Specific roles in parentheses.

Offense:

Tolvanen (PP)
Kuokkanen (PP)
Turkulainen (PP/PK)
Koivula (PP)
Vesalainen (PP)
Heponiemi (PP)
Kotkaniemi (PP)

Competing for a spot:

Ikonen (top 9/PP)
Koppanen (PK)
Tuulola (bottom 6, PP)
Jääskä (PK)
Kupari (top 9)
Nurmi (PP)
Talvitie (PK)
Moilanen (PK)
A. Räsänen (PK)
Oksanen (top 9)

Defense:

The best:
Heiskanen
Välimäki
Juolevi
Jokiharju
Vaakanainen
Salo
E. Räsänen

The rest:
Reunanen
Kotkansalo
Niemeläinen
Almari
Utunen

Goalies:

Luukkonen
Halonen

Piece of cardboard

 

[Hockeyisl1fe]

In the team if available. Specific roles in parentheses.

Offense:

Tolvanen (PP)
Kuokkanen (PP)
Turkulainen (PP/PK)
Koivula (PP)
Vesalainen (PP)
Heponiemi (PP)
Kotkaniemi (PP)

Competing for a spot:

Ikonen (top 9/PP)
Koppanen (PK)
Tuulola (bottom 6, PP)
Jääskä (PK)
Kupari (top 9)
Nurmi (PP)
Talvitie (PK)
Moilanen (PK)
A. Räsänen (PK)
Oksanen (top 9)

Defense:

The best:
Heiskanen
Välimäki
Juolevi
Jokiharju
Vaakanainen
Salo
E. Räsänen

The rest:
Reunanen
Kotkansalo
Niemeläinen
Almari
Utunen

Goalies:

Luukkonen
Halonen

Piece of cardboard

Koivula could be a surprise cut. He lacks speed for a fast paced junior tournament. Hasn't been all that impressive in the FEL either. Also worth noting that Ahokas didn't select him to the 2016 u18 team.

 

[ChicagoBullsFan]

Koivula could be a surprise cut. He lacks speed for a fast paced junior tournament. Hasn't been all that impressive in the FEL either. Also worth noting that Ahokas didn't select him to the 2016 u18 team.

Koivula would have been U18 gold medal winning team in Grand Forks.
But Ahokas cut him only because he made space for Puljujarvi.

 

[Hockeyisl1fe]

Koivula would have been U18 gold medal winning team in Grand Forks.
But Ahokas cut him only because he made space for Puljujarvi.

Yeah I know. That situation could repeat, highly unlikely tho. But I don't think he is a lock for the team anyways. He is useful on the PP, but I don't think he will be that in the bottom 6 on even strength. Ahokas probably sees him as a top 6 player too. Kuokkanen, Tolvanen and Vesalainen will most likely fill 3/4 of top 6: that leaves a one spot open and there is some high competition for that. Don't get me wrong, I think he will make it. Could be a surprise cut still due to the aforementioned reasoning.

 

[ChicagoBullsFan]

Yeah I know. That situation could repeat, highly unlikely tho. But I don't think he is a lock for the team anyways. He is useful on the PP, but I don't think he will be that in the bottom 6 on even strength. Ahokas probably sees him as a top 6 player too. Kuokkanen, Tolvanen and Vesalainen will most likely fill 3/4 of top 6: that leaves a one spot open and there is some high competition for that. Don't get me wrong, I think he will make it. Could be a surprise cut still due to the aforementioned reasoning.

Yeah Koivula is a player who lives on scoring and points.
Even i'm not sure on that Koivula is locked in the team.
Especially in that situation if Bakersfield Condors and Edmonton Oilers decides release Puljujarvi ( not likely but possible) in the world juniors.

Then there's those WHL players like Oksanen,Moilanen and Heponiemi.
Heponiemi is TOP5 in WHL top scorers right now ( 22 points in 9 games) Oksanen plays well in Regina and Moilanen is playing also well in Seattle.

Also guys like Otto Somppi and Linus Nyman are the names what Ahokas can't count out especially if they are healthy.
Kotkaniemi,Kupari and Ylonen are also potential names this years team.
But is there spots for all three.

Especially Kotkaniemi and Kupari are players which not fit 3rd or 4th line.
But what to do with Jesse Ylonen he's also one candidate so does Finland has space on him is another story.​

 

[ChicagoBullsFan]

Last time Finland dont have a liiga goalie was 2012(saved in relegation) and if You look at the Junior Liiga stats, Who is Vilho Heikkinen ?

2012 world juniors Finland lost Bronze game for Canada.
2013 was last time before 2017 when Finland saved for relegation.

 

[Icejoker]

2012 world juniors Finland lost Bronze game for Canada.
2013 was last time before 2017 when Finland saved for relegation.

JWC plays over 2 years, last year they playd 20 games 2016 and 10 games 2017.
2012-2013 was Finland saved in relegation and their first goalie was from Mestis (Korpisalo K-Vantaa),
the year before when they lost the Bronze game they have 2 liigagoalies (Aitokallio Ilves and Ullberg Saipa)

 

[Tormentor]

-----------------NHL/AHL------------------------
Patrik Laine (-98) - Janne Kuokkanen (-98) - Jesse Puljujärvi (-98)

-----------------1st Team------------------------
Kristian Vesalainen (-99) - Joni Ikonen (-99) - Eeli Tolvanen (-99)
Jesperi Kotkaniemi (-00) - Aarne Talvitie (-99) - Jerry Turkulainen (-98)
Aleksi Heponiemi (-99) - Rasmus Kupari (-00) - Otto Koivula (-98)
Markus Nurmi (-98) - Aapeli Räsänen (-98) - Eetu Tuulola (-98)
Sami Moilanen (-99)

Miro Heiskanen (-99) - Urho Vaakanainen (-99)
Kasper Kotkansalo (-98) - Juuso Välimäki (-98)
Olli Juolevi (-98) - Eemeli Räsänen (-99)
Robin Salo (-98)

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (-99)
Lassi Lehtinen (-99)
Eetu Mäkiniemi (-99)

-----------------2nd Team------------------------
Juha Jääskä (-98) - Otto Somppi (-98) - Niklas Nordgren (-00)
Emil Oksanen (-98) - Eetu Luostarinen (-98) - Kaapo Kakko (-01)
Severi Lahtinen (-98) - Joona Koppanen (-98) - Jere Innala (-98)
Linus Nyman (-99) - Santeri Virtanen (-99) - Jesse Ylönen (-99)
Otto Mäkinen (-98)

Tarmo Reunanen (-98) - Henri Jokiharju (-99)
Niclas Almari (-98) - Roope Laavainen (-98)
Markus Niemeläinen (-98) - Anttoni Honka (-00)
Santeri Suistio (-98)

Vilho Heikkinen (-98)
Niilo Halonen (-98)
Justus Annunen (-00)

-----------------3rd Team------------------------
Samuli Ratinen (-98) - Jesse Koskenkorva (-99) - Joona Ikonen (-98)
Topias Haapanen (-98) - Roope Mäkitalo (-98) - Lauri Pajuniemi (-99)
Oskari Uomala (-98) - Artturi Toivola (-98) - Sampo Ranta (-00)
Aleksi Klemetti (-99) - Anton Stråka (-98) - Aatu Luusuaniemi (-99)
Niko Kuiri (-98)

Toni Utunen (-00) - Oskari Laaksonen (-99)
Santeri Salmela (-00) - Saku Vesterinen (-99)
Eero Teräväinen (-99) - Otto Latvala (-99)
Roni Allen (-98)

Sami Suni (-98)
Leevi Laakso (-98)
Oskar Autio (-99)

 

[bukwas]

Are the Rasanen's brothers?

 

[Isola]

Nope.

 

[Ippenator]

-----------------NHL/AHL------------------------
Patrik Laine (-98) - Janne Kuokkanen (-98) - Jesse Puljujärvi (-98)

-----------------1st Team------------------------
Kristian Vesalainen (-99) - Joni Ikonen (-99) - Eeli Tolvanen (-99)
Jesperi Kotkaniemi (-00) - Aarne Talvitie (-99) - Jerry Turkulainen (-98)
Aleksi Heponiemi (-99) - Rasmus Kupari (-00) - Otto Koivula (-98)
Markus Nurmi (-98) - Aapeli Räsänen (-98) - Eetu Tuulola (-98)
Sami Moilanen (-99)

Miro Heiskanen (-99) - Urho Vaakanainen (-99)
Kasper Kotkansalo (-98) - Juuso Välimäki (-98)
Olli Juolevi (-98) - Eemeli Räsänen (-99)
Robin Salo (-98)

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (-99)
Lassi Lehtinen (-99)
Eetu Mäkiniemi (-99)

-----------------2nd Team------------------------
Juha Jääskä (-98) - Otto Somppi (-98) - Niklas Nordgren (-00)
Emil Oksanen (-98) - Eetu Luostarinen (-98) - Kaapo Kakko (-01)
Severi Lahtinen (-98) - Joona Koppanen (-98) - Jere Innala (-98)
Linus Nyman (-99) - Santeri Virtanen (-99) - Jesse Ylönen (-99)
Otto Mäkinen (-98)

Tarmo Reunanen (-98) - Henri Jokiharju (-99)
Niclas Almari (-98) - Roope Laavainen (-98)
Markus Niemeläinen (-98) - Anttoni Honka (-00)
Santeri Suistio (-98)

Vilho Heikkinen (-98)
Niilo Halonen (-98)
Justus Annunen (-00)

-----------------3rd Team------------------------
Samuli Ratinen (-98) - Jesse Koskenkorva (-99) - Joona Ikonen (-98)
Topias Haapanen (-98) - Roope Mäkitalo (-98) - Lauri Pajuniemi (-99)
Oskari Uomala (-98) - Artturi Toivola (-98) - Sampo Ranta (-00)
Aleksi Klemetti (-99) - Anton Stråka (-98) - Aatu Luusuaniemi (-99)
Niko Kuiri (-98)

Toni Utunen (-00) - Oskari Laaksonen (-99)
Santeri Salmela (-00) - Saku Vesterinen (-99)
Eero Teräväinen (-99) - Otto Latvala (-99)
Roni Allen (-98)

Sami Suni (-98)
Leevi Laakso (-98)
Oskar Autio (-99)

No way that Kotkansalo should be ahead of Jokiharju, and neither should Salo. Jokiharju has been excellent this season and should be a surefire top 4 defenceman for team Finland. Otherwise I do pretty much agree with your choices.

 

[Hockeyisl1fe]

-----------------NHL/AHL------------------------
Patrik Laine (-98) - Janne Kuokkanen (-98) - Jesse Puljujärvi (-98)

-----------------1st Team------------------------
Kristian Vesalainen (-99) - Joni Ikonen (-99) - Eeli Tolvanen (-99)
Jesperi Kotkaniemi (-00) - Aarne Talvitie (-99) - Jerry Turkulainen (-98)
Aleksi Heponiemi (-99) - Rasmus Kupari (-00) - Otto Koivula (-98)
Markus Nurmi (-98) - Aapeli Räsänen (-98) - Eetu Tuulola (-98)
Sami Moilanen (-99)

Miro Heiskanen (-99) - Urho Vaakanainen (-99)
Kasper Kotkansalo (-98) - Juuso Välimäki (-98)
Olli Juolevi (-98) - Eemeli Räsänen (-99)
Robin Salo (-98)

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (-99)
Lassi Lehtinen (-99)
Eetu Mäkiniemi (-99)

-----------------2nd Team------------------------
Juha Jääskä (-98) - Otto Somppi (-98) - Niklas Nordgren (-00)
Emil Oksanen (-98) - Eetu Luostarinen (-98) - Kaapo Kakko (-01)
Severi Lahtinen (-98) - Joona Koppanen (-98) - Jere Innala (-98)
Linus Nyman (-99) - Santeri Virtanen (-99) - Jesse Ylönen (-99)
Otto Mäkinen (-98)

Tarmo Reunanen (-98) - Henri Jokiharju (-99)
Niclas Almari (-98) - Roope Laavainen (-98)
Markus Niemeläinen (-98) - Anttoni Honka (-00)
Santeri Suistio (-98)

Vilho Heikkinen (-98)
Niilo Halonen (-98)
Justus Annunen (-00)

-----------------3rd Team------------------------
Samuli Ratinen (-98) - Jesse Koskenkorva (-99) - Joona Ikonen (-98)
Topias Haapanen (-98) - Roope Mäkitalo (-98) - Lauri Pajuniemi (-99)
Oskari Uomala (-98) - Artturi Toivola (-98) - Sampo Ranta (-00)
Aleksi Klemetti (-99) - Anton Stråka (-98) - Aatu Luusuaniemi (-99)
Niko Kuiri (-98)

Toni Utunen (-00) - Oskari Laaksonen (-99)
Santeri Salmela (-00) - Saku Vesterinen (-99)
Eero Teräväinen (-99) - Otto Latvala (-99)
Roni Allen (-98)

Sami Suni (-98)
Leevi Laakso (-98)
Oskar Autio (-99)

I love Talvitie as a player and especially his leader mentality, but I don't think he should be in the top 6 and ahead of Somppi.

 

[fr9dd9]

Its kinda hard to imagine that Finland is in a place right now where they COULD have had a top sniper from KHL and NHL in the same u20 team (age wise) and to go with that 3 defenders that play 20+ minutes in liiga (well juolevi will do it soon ^^) well, and pulju.

 

[Hockeyisl1fe]

Its kinda hard to imagine that Finland is in a place right now where they COULD have had a top sniper from KHL and NHL in the same u20 team (age wise) and to go with that 3 defenders that play 20+ minutes in liiga (well juolevi will do it soon ^^) well, and pulju.

The top 9 wingers: Laine, Pulju, Tolvanen, Vesalainen, Heponiemi and Kuokkanen... that would be almost unfair haha

 

[ChicagoBullsFan]

Are the Rasanen's brothers?

Eemeli Rasanen isn't any relation to Aapeli Rasanen.
Aapeli Rasanen has younger brother named Iivari and he's draft eligible 2019.

 

[ChicagoBullsFan]

Its kinda hard to imagine that Finland is in a place right now where they COULD have had a top sniper from KHL and NHL in the same u20 team (age wise) and to go with that 3 defenders that play 20+ minutes in liiga (well juolevi will do it soon ^^) well, and pulju.

It's hard to believe Edmonton Oilers allows Puljujarvi's participation to upcoming U20 WJC'.
But if they really do that very well then but lets wait what Oilers decides.

Right now Finland has lots of options to forwards positions and of course Jesse Puljujarvi is one of them.
But so are guys like Heponiemi, Oksanen, Somppi, Kuokkanen etc.

Looks likely Finland is getting very good team this year.
Defence will be excellent and probably best than ever before.

Of course injuries can happen still so it's better to knock on wood and hope best.
I don't know yet what to expect for Finland but only what i hope is that Finland is one of TOP5 or TOP4 teams when tournament is over. Relegation round isn't option this year

 

[fr9dd9]

Anyone else who thinks turkulainen should be a lock?

 

[ES]

Anyone else who thinks turkulainen should be a lock?

He can easily be rated as the top eligible forward from Liiga so should be a lock.

 

[Icejoker]

Players in Russian 4 Team turnament

Goalies
1 Luukkonen Ukko-Pekka, HPK Hämeenlinna
31 Halonen Niilo, HIFK Helsinki

Defenders:
4 Salo Robin C , Sport Vaasa
5 Reunanen Tarmo, TPS Turku
7 Juolevi Olli A , TPS Turku
23 Vaakanainen Urho A , SaiPa Lappeenranta
25 Laavainen Roope, HPK Hämeenlinna
32 Niemeläinen Markus, HPK Hämeenlinna
37 Almari Niclas, HPK Hämeenlinna

Forwards:
10 Turkulainen Jerry, JYP Jyväskylä
12 Koivula Otto, Ilves Tampere
13 Vesalainen Kristian, HPK Hämeenlinna
15 Koppanen Joona, Ilves Tampere
19 Tuulola Eetu, HPK Hämeenlinna
21 Nurmi Markus, TPS Turku
24 Ylönen Jesse, Espoo United
27 Ikonen Joni, KalPa Kuopio
28 Kupari Rasmus, Kärpät Oulu
29 Luostarinen Eetu, KalPa Kuopio
33 Innala Jere, HPK Hämeenlinna
34 Kotkaniemi Jesperi, Ässät Pori
35 Talvitie Aarne, Espoo United

 

[ChicagoBullsFan]

Team Finland U19 challenger team in Czech Republic games.
Maalivahdit:
1 Mäkiniemi Eetu, Jokerit Helsinki
30 Lehtinen Lassi, Rauman Lukko
Puolustajat:
2 Allén Roni, JYP Jyväskylä
3 Laaksonen Oskari, Ilves Tampere
4 Laitinen Vili, Espoo United
5 Riekkinen Joona, KalPa Kuopio
6 Isiguzo Bernard, Espoo United
15 Kaskinen Olli, TPS Turku
21 Latvala Otto, LeKi Lempäälä
Hyökkääjät:
10 Engberg Teemu, HIFK Helsinki
12 Koskenkorva Jesse, Kärpät Oulu
13 Seppälä Erkka, HPK Hämeenlinna
18 Pajuniemi Lauri, TPS Turku
19 Maansaari Olli, HPK Hämeenlinna
20 Haapanen Topias, LeKi Lempäälä
22 Ikonen Joona, Ilves Tampere
24 Klemetti Aleksi, KalPa Kuopio
25 Kuiri Niko, Hermes Kokkola
28 Mäkinen Otto, LeKi Lempäälä
29 Päkkilä Eetu, Kärpät Oulu
32 Ratinen Samuli, JYP Jyväskylä
34 Luusuaniemi Aatu, Kärpät Oulu