U18: Team Finland 2021 U18 WJC roster talk.

[ChicagoBullsFan]

Leijonat - U18 maajoukkue testi- ja opintoleirille Vierumäelle 20.-28.7.2020 – Tässä joukkueen kokoonpano


Because corona-virus pandemic cancelled 2020 U18 WJC's it's time to take a look 2021 U18 WJC's.
Yes it's a bit early to make this thread but guess what i don't give a f*** about that.
Here's my first speculations of Team Finland in 2021 U18 WJC's.

1st line Samu Salminen Brad Lambert Samu Tuomaala.
2nd line Viljami Marjala Jere Virolainen Jeremi Tammela
3rd line Niko Huuhtanen Verner Miettinen Joakim Kemell
4th line Joona Korhonen Viljam Sandvik Rasmus Ruusunen

Atte Lehikoinen Jimi Suomi
Topias Vilen Viljami Juusola
Aleksi Malinen Joni Loukkojärvi
Arttu Kuivas Kalle Ervasti.

Goalies
Topias Leinonen
Jani Lampinen
Juuso Helomaa

Other possible names
Samu Bau
Jere Lassila
Kasper Lundell
Jonni Kärkkäinen
Ville Koivunen
Elmeri Laakso
Niklas Kokko
Jani Nyman

Click to read more...

 

[Pardus]

My team would look like this atm:

Viljami Marjala - Brad Lambert - Samu Tuomaala
Oliver Kapanen - Samu Salminen - Joakim Kemell
Ville Koivunen - Niko Huuhtanen - Kalle Väisänen
Oskar Komarov - Verner Miettinen - Joona Korhonen

Atte Lehikoinen - Viljami Juusola
Jimi Suomi - Topias Vilén
Aleksi Malinen - Kalle Ervasti
Otto Salin

Aku Koskenvuo (Paavo Kohonen)

 

[SantosHalper]

coaching staff:

Head Coach: Petri Karjalainen
Asst. Coach: Tero Määttä
Asst. Coach: Sami Tervonen
Video Coach: Ville Koho
Goalie Coach: Roope Koistinen
Team Manager: Hannu Saintula

 

[Tube Skates]

Somebody correct me if I’m wrong but if Lambert plays U-20 is he still eligible to play U-18. I thought no?

 

[Pardus]

Somebody correct me if I’m wrong but if Lambert plays U-20 is he still eligible to play U-18. I thought no?

Yes he is.

For example take a look at Anton Lundell's 2018-19 stats:
Anton Lundell at eliteprospects.com

 

[illone84]

Is it going to happen this year or what?

 

[JJTT]

Is it going to happen this year or what?

At least for now it's going to happen

15.04.-25.04.2021:
Plymouth & Ann Arbor, USA

 

[Pardus]

1.-4.2. training camp in Vierumäki.

Right now I'd go with this roster:

Ville Koivunen - Brad Lambert - Joakim Kemell
Oliver Kapanen - Samu Salminen - Joona Korhonen
Jeremi Tammela - Sami Päivärinta - Samu Tuomaala
Niko Huuhtanen - Nikolai Hakala/Topi Rönni - Kalle Väisänen

Tomi Leppänen - Kalle Ervasti
Aleksi Malinen - Topias Vilén
Jimi Suomi - Otto Salin
Atte Lehikoinen

Paavo Kohonen (Emil Vinni)

 

[ChicagoBullsFan]

Leijonat - Pikkuleijonat helmikuun alussa leirille Vierumälle – Kokoonpano

Goalies:
Helomaa Juuso, Ässät Pori
Kohonen Paavo, Tappara Tampere
Koskenvuo Aku, HIFK Helsinki
Lampinen Jani, HIFK Helsinki

Defencemans:
Ervasti Kalle, Lukko Rauma
Heimosalmi Aleksi, Ässät Pori
Juusola Viljami, Luleå Ruotsi
Kulonummi Kasper, Jokerit Helsinki
Lehikoinen Atte, KalPa Kuopio
Lehtonen Sisu-Petteri, TPS Turku
Leppänen Tomi, Lukko Rauma
Ruotsalainen Ville, Kärpät Oulu
Saari Eemeli, TPS Turku
Salin Otto, HIFK Helsinki
Sarell Aapo, SaiPa Lappeenranta
Suomi Jimi, Jokerit Helsinki

Forwards
Huuhtanen Niko, Tappara Tampere
Järvelä Juho, Jukurit Mikkeli
Kapanen Oliver, KalPa Kuopio
Kemell Joakim, JYP Jyväskylä
Koivunen Ville, Kärpät Oulu
Korhonen Joona, Ilves Tampere
Matikka Miko, Jokerit Helsinki
Miettinen Verner, Kiekko-Espoo
Päivärinta Sami, Lukko Rauma
Ruusunen Rasmus, HIFK Helsinki
Rönni Topi, Tappara Tampere
Salminen Samu, Jokerit Helsinki
Sandvik Viljam, HIFK Helsinki
Tammela Jeremi, Lukko Rauma
Tuomaala Samu, Kärpät Oulu
Virolainen Jere, Tappara Tampere
Väisänen Kalle, TPS Turku
Yliniemi Sisu, Kärpät Oulu

No invited
Brad Lambert JYP .

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Leijonat - Pikkuleijonat helmikuun alussa leirille Vierumälle – Kokoonpano

Goalies:
Helomaa Juuso, Ässät Pori
Kohonen Paavo, Tappara Tampere
Koskenvuo Aku, HIFK Helsinki
Lampinen Jani, HIFK Helsinki

Defencemans:
Ervasti Kalle, Lukko Rauma
Heimosalmi Aleksi, Ässät Pori
Juusola Viljami, Luleå Ruotsi
Kulonummi Kasper, Jokerit Helsinki
Lehikoinen Atte, KalPa Kuopio
Lehtonen Sisu-Petteri, TPS Turku
Leppänen Tomi, Lukko Rauma
Ruotsalainen Ville, Kärpät Oulu
Saari Eemeli, TPS Turku
Salin Otto, HIFK Helsinki
Sarell Aapo, SaiPa Lappeenranta
Suomi Jimi, Jokerit Helsinki

Forwards
Huuhtanen Niko, Tappara Tampere
Järvelä Juho, Jukurit Mikkeli
Kapanen Oliver, KalPa Kuopio
Kemell Joakim, JYP Jyväskylä
Koivunen Ville, Kärpät Oulu
Korhonen Joona, Ilves Tampere
Matikka Miko, Jokerit Helsinki
Miettinen Verner, Kiekko-Espoo
Päivärinta Sami, Lukko Rauma
Ruusunen Rasmus, HIFK Helsinki
Rönni Topi, Tappara Tampere
Salminen Samu, Jokerit Helsinki
Sandvik Viljam, HIFK Helsinki
Tammela Jeremi, Lukko Rauma
Tuomaala Samu, Kärpät Oulu
Virolainen Jere, Tappara Tampere
Väisänen Kalle, TPS Turku
Yliniemi Sisu, Kärpät Oulu

No invited
Brad Lambert JYP .

Is Kemell the only 2022 draft eligible?

 

[Pardus]

Is Kemell the only 2022 draft eligible?

+ Kulonummi, Matikka, Ruusunen and Salin.

 

[Kshahdoo]

At least for now it's going to happen

15.04.-25.04.2021:
Plymouth & Ann Arbor, USA

Nah, it's in Texas (Plano & Frisco) 26.04 - 6.05

 

[JJTT]

Camp roster


Maalivahdit:
Helomaa Juuso, Ässät Pori
Kohonen Paavo, Tappara Tampere
Koskenvuo Aku, HIFK Helsinki
Lampinen Jani, HIFK Helsinki
Leinonen Topias, JYP Jyväskylä

Puolustajat:
Ervasti Kalle, Lukko Rauma
Heimosalmi Aleksi, Ässät Pori
Juusola Viljami, Luleå Ruotsi
Kulonummi Kasper, Jokerit Helsinki
Leppänen Tomi, Lukko Rauma
Malinen Aleksi, JYP Jyväskylä
Salin Otto, HIFK Helsinki
Sarell Aapo, SaiPa Lappeenranta
Suomi Jimi, Jokerit Helsinki
Vilén Topias, Pelicans Lahti

Hyökkääjät:
Huuhtanen Niko, Tappara Tampere
Järvelä Juho, Jukurit Mikkeli
Kapanen Oliver, KalPa Kuopio
Kemell Joakim, JYP Jyväskylä
Koivunen Ville, Kärpät Oulu
Lambert Brad, JYP Jyväskylä
Matikka Miko, Jokerit Helsinki
Miettinen Verner, Kiekko-Espoo
Päivärinta Sami, Lukko Rauma
Ruusunen Rasmus, HIFK Helsinki
Rönni Topi, Tappara Tampere
Salminen Samu, Jokerit Helsinki
Sandvik Viljam, HIFK Helsinki
Tuomaala Samu, Kärpät Oulu
Virolainen Jere, Tappara Tampere
Väisänen Kalle, TPS Turku
Yliniemi Sisu, Kärpät Oulu

Marjala, Korhonen, Tammela and Lehikoinen missing, otherwise pretty much everyone as expected.

 

[IceHockeyDude]

Wow this tournament begins already in a week.

Oh it wont start until 26.4

 

[ChicagoBullsFan]

Taas yksi Kapanen taistelee paikasta MM-kisoissa – Pikkuleijonien leiriryhmä valittu
Finland's training camp roster for 2021 U18 WJC's.

Goalies
Helomaa Juuso (Ässät Pori)
Kohonen Paavo (Tappara Tampere),
Koskenvuo Aku (HIFK Helsinki)
Lampinen Jani (HIFK Helsinki)
Leinonen Topias (JYP Jyväskylä)

Defenseman's
Ervasti Kalle (Lukko Rauma)
Heimosalmi Aleksi (Ässät Pori)
Juusola Viljami (Luleå Ruotsi)
Kulonummi Kasper (Jokerit Helsinki)
Leppänen Tomi (Lukko Rauma)
Malinen Aleksi (JYP Jyväskylä)
Salin Otto (HIFK Helsinki)
Sarell Aapo (SaiPa Lappeenranta)
Suomi Jimi (Jokerit Helsinki)
Vilén Topias (Pelicans Lahti)

Forwards.
Huuhtanen Niko (Tappara Tampere)
Järvelä Juho (Jukurit Mikkeli),
Kapanen Oliver (KalPa Kuopio)
Kemell Joakim (JYP Jyväskylä)
Koivunen Ville (Kärpät Oulu)
Lambert Brad (JYP Jyväskylä)
Matikka Miko (Jokerit Helsinki)
Miettinen Verner (Kiekko-Espoo)
Päivärinta Sami (Lukko Rauma)
Ruusunen Rasmus (HIFK Helsinki)
Rönni Topi (Tappara Tampere)
Salminen Samu (Jokerit Helsinki)
Sandvik Viljam (HIFK Helsinki)
Tuomaala Samu (Kärpät Oulu)
Virolainen Jere (Tappara Tampere)
Väisänen Kalle (TPS Turku)
Yliniemi Sisu (Kärpät Oulu)

Finland's official U18 WJC roster will be announced April 17 ( next weeks Saturday )

 

[Erikfromfin]

Final team selected
Pikkuleijonat valmiina mestaruustaistoon – Suomen joukkue alle 18-vuotiaiden MM-kisoihin on tässä - SuomiKiekko

players cut
G: Kohonen, Leinonen
D: Salin, Sarell
F: Rönni, Sandvik, Virolainen

 

[ChicagoBullsFan]

Finland's U18 WJC roster

Goalies
1 Lampinen Jani, HIFK Helsinki
30 Koskenvuo Aku, HIFK Helsinki
31 Helomaa Juuso, Ässät Pori

Defenseman's
2 Suomi Jimi, Jokerit Helsinki
3 Kulonummi Kasper, Jokerit Helsinki
4 Juusola Viljami, Luleå Ruotsi
6 Ervasti Kalle, Lukko Rauma
7 Malinen Aleksi, JYP Jyväskylä
10 Vilén Topias, Pelicans Lahti
12 Leppänen Tomi, Lukko Rauma
21 Heimosalmi Aleksi, Ässät Pori

Forwards
13 Päivärinta Sami, Lukko Rauma
15 Järvelä Juho, Jukurit Mikkeli
18 Salminen Samu, Jokerit Helsinki
19 Miettinen Verner, Kiekko-Espoo
20 Yliniemi Sisu, Kärpät Oulu
22 Kapanen Oliver, KalPa Kuopio
24 Koivunen Ville, Kärpät Oulu
25 Kemell Joakim, JYP Jyväskylä
27 Tuomaala Samu, Kärpät Oulu
28 Ruusunen Rasmus, HIFK Helsinki
29 Huuhtanen Niko, Tappara Tampere
32 Matikka Miko, Jokerit Helsinki
33 Lambert Brad, JYP Jyväskylä
35 Väisänen Kalle, TPS Turku

 

[Svedu]

Pretty good roster, impressive when a decent talent like Rönni does not make it. He's a decent center . Biggest question mark should be the goalies?
Look forward to see JYP´s talented trio. Malinen (personal favorite), Lambert and Kemell. They should stand out in this tournament. Kärpät prospects Koivunen and Tuomaala with Lambert centering would be really fun to witness.
Excited to Kotkas Väisänen as well. Big bodied Huuhtanen looked interesting when I saw some highlights from a recent camp.

Wonder why so many HIFK players are getting selected? Like two goalies with not that impressive stats and Ruusunen as a forward with less impressive numbers as well? I´m only curious, not trying to provoke anyone.

Czech Republic have a really impressing D-core in this years tournament. Jiricek, Svozil, Hamara.
Matvei Michkov, Ivan Miroshnichenko and Kvochko will be really fun to follow.
Group B is really tough this year!

 

[ChicagoBullsFan]

Meet the Team: Finland's Under-18 World Hockey Championship Roster - EP Rinkside

 

[Mestaruus]

Finland vs Canada practice match today. I'm not sure if they are bringing proper cameras to that game.

 

[ChicagoBullsFan]

Pretty good roster, impressive when a decent talent like Rönni does not make it. He's a decent center . Biggest question mark should be the goalies?
Look forward to see JYP´s talented trio. Malinen (personal favorite), Lambert and Kemell. They should stand out in this tournament. Kärpät prospects Koivunen and Tuomaala with Lambert centering would be really fun to witness.
Excited to Kotkas Väisänen as well. Big bodied Huuhtanen looked interesting when I saw some highlights from a recent camp.

Wonder why so many HIFK players are getting selected? Like two goalies with not that impressive stats and Ruusunen as a forward with less impressive numbers as well? I´m only curious, not trying to provoke anyone.

Czech Republic have a really impressing D-core in this years tournament. Jiricek, Svozil, Hamara.
Matvei Michkov, Ivan Miroshnichenko and Kvochko will be really fun to follow.
Group B is really tough this year!

I think that roster is more passable than pretty good.
And why ? let me tell.

Goalies are mediocre ( no clear starter and number 1 goalie ).

Defense is weak ( no any 6'3 tall players which are needed
in against teams like USA and Canada
lack of size and physicality is a problem )

Offense is OK but not great or elite ( watch Canada's forwards )

If all goes well Finland has a chance to win Bronze medal .
Finland's lack of international game experience is a problem
thanks to Covid19 pandemic which have made all international
pre tournaments impossible this season.

This team has played together last time over a year ago.
Prediction Finland finishes places 3 to 5.

 

[Svedu]

I think it's pretty good, as I wrote. Not really good or good, you see there is a difference. Russia and Canadas rosters are stacked with prospects this year but compared to others? Finlands offense should be PRETTY good.

The thing is Canada have one of their best teams ever at this level with generational talent in Bedard and a future franchise player in Wright.
Russia have Michkov, probably the biggest talent since Kuznetsov, Ovechkin and Malkin. Then they have Miroshnichenko, Kvochko and others. All in all, Russia and especially Canada are bigger favorites than usual this year, and that says it all.
Czechs have three potential first rounders among their defenders. Must be the first time in many years. Besides Sweden, Canada or USA it's really rare to see that, even from Russia or Finland.
Sweden have a good D-core like usual with Salomonsson, Edvinsson etc.

Regarding predictions I agree that a bronze medal would be a good performance from this team. The Finnish goalies are too weak for this team to upset Canada in a playoff game, of course I hope I´m wrong here. Russia? It's possible. I do think Finland, Sweden and US are pretty even this year.

Last but not least, I´m looking forward to see these Finnish prospects:
Lambert, should dominate at this level. (Brad together with Wright, Michkov, Miroshnichenko and Bedard should be players that stand out in this tournament)
Kemell, I love this kids finesse. He is something I haven't seen Finland produce before. It´s too early to predict a whole lot, but he reminds me more of wingers from other countries. I believe he has the potential to become a winger who creates a whole lot on his own, even at professional level. I love the fact that both Kemell and Lambert are good skaters.
Tuomaala, lot´s of scouts are praising his skating and his shot but let's see if he stands out in this tournament. If the hype is real he should be a top scorer for us.
Wildcards: Huuhtanen, Matikka, Malinen, Koivunen, Kapanen.
Huuhtanen impressed me a whole lot when I saw the intern game at Vierumäki. His size makes me curious. Matikka is another who looked good and surprised me. I´ve read some Kärpät fans who seem to believe Koivunen has surpassed Tuomaala? Malinen is a personal favorite since WHC-17´s, I love how agile he is and back then he seemed to be confident with the puck. Kapanen? Not seen him play, but if he has the same motor as his cousin and uncle? I don't know what to expect of him but I´m excited.

 

[Keke]

Kudos to all who watched the full game. Watching the 3 minutes highlights in Youtube was hard enough. But still great job at coming from behind

 

[Svedu]

I think that roster is more passable than pretty good.
And why ? let me tell.

Goalies are mediocre ( no clear starter and number 1 goalie ).

Defense is weak ( no any 6'3 tall players which are needed
in against teams like USA and Canada
lack of size and physicality is a problem )

Offense is OK but not great or elite ( watch Canada's forwards )

If all goes well Finland has a chance to win Bronze medal .
Finland's lack of international game experience is a problem
thanks to Covid19 pandemic which have made all international
pre tournaments impossible this season.

This team has played together last time over a year ago.
Prediction Finland finishes places 3 to 5.

I have to say your prediction seems to be more correct than mine. "More passable" feels on spot after I've seen this team.

This is going to be long, excuse me.
The finns D´s and goaltending is horrible so far in this tournament. Koskenvuo is not stable at all, but the defense doesn't give him much to work with. Vilén is a big disappointment for me. He's not good defensively and he is not an offensive powerhouse by any means. Suomi does have some offensive upside but god damn, he looses the puck too often and is a big risk defensively, a bit nonchalant. Many of the D´s give me the impression of being insecure or nonchalant. If it's only because their individual level or a combination with bad coaching is difficult to say. But in both games the opponents created good chances or goals from basically nothing.
Heimosalmi has been a bit of a surprise offensively for me. I expect a lot more from Vilén and Suomi. Juusola does look a bit shaky as well. Even if Juusola is producing points in this tournament I can't see the same talent I saw in Niemelä and Heinola at same age. In all fairness, that's not surprising because they are special.
Overall, I don't see anyone besides Malinen to be near the same level as Vaakanainen, Jokiharju, Juolevi, Heinola, Niemelä and even late blooming Laaksonen when they were the same age.
I not sure what to think about Salminen, I´m not that convinced of his greatness, not yet. Tuomaala is a pure goalscorer and you can't criticize him too much because he's producing. It will be interesting to see if he can create anything against tougher opponents in 5 vs 5. I´m not so sure about that.
Lambert is on another level but I do expect a lot more form him. Puljujärvi dominated this tournament with Tolvanen and Lambert has the potential and skill to do the same. Even if that Finnish team back then was better than this and had Ahokas and company leading the team.
Kemell needs to get more productive and start creating and produce some points. His talent is obvious, good with the puck, skates well etc but he seems a bit... Toothless? Doesn't feel so dangerous and that is a bit worrying because he has so much skill. Well, his young and hopefully it will come.

Regarding their future potential if I would take a guess? Malinen seems to be the only D with clear NHL-potential right now. Suomi has talent and will probably become a good player in a couple of years, but he seems a bit weak and an easy target for bigger forwards. Therefor his offensive should be exceptional for him to make it (and it isn't), otherwise he better get a lot stronger.
Koivunen has good attitude, works hard combined with decent skill and IQ. I like him.
Salminen, not that convinced he's that special.
In all honesty? I´m overall quite disappointed with this years players. Väisänen is not strong enough yet to use his size. Bad balance, but I guess that will come because he's so lanky. Yliniemi, well don't wanna be too harsh against young players but he does not stand out what so ever. We can include Päivärinta, Järvelä, Ruusunen and named Väisänen to this list. Forgot Miettinen, he is a disappointment for me.
I thought a bit higher of this team before the tournament and I guess I was wrong. I thought Kapanen could be a good role player but afterwards I get the feeling he's one of the 5 best players in this 2003 group.

Even if I hope they'll play better I just don't see this group winning any medals. Perhaps bronze but the goaltending, the defensive system etc looks horrendous at times. US and Russia should be better and Canada will destroy Koskenvuo if we play against each other.

 

[SantosHalper]

Kids have shown lot of character in these 2 games. Great thing to see, it should help them grow their confidence.