Team Finland announced!

[Raimo Sillanpää]

# PP Club Born cm kg GP G sh
__ __ __________________ _________________________ ________ ___ ___ ___ ___ __
30 G Lehtonen Kari Atlanta Thrashers 16.11.83 191 88 7 0 L
34 G Kiprusoff Miikka Calgary Flames 26.10.76 185 85 33 0 L
35 G Toskala Vesa San José Sharks 20.05.77 179 85 55 0 L

2 LD Pitkänen Joni Philadelphia Flyers 19.09.83 191 92 2 0 L
4 LD Timonen Kimmo Nashville Predators 18.03.75 178 88 116 11 L
5 LD Väänänen Ossi Colorado Avalanche 18.08.80 191 94 27 0 L
6 RD Salo Sami Vancouver Canucks 2.09.74 192 98 25 3 R
7 LD Berg Aki-Petteri Toronto Maple Leafs 28.07.77 193 97 49 4 L
27 RD Numminen Teppo Dallas Stars 3.07.68 186 90 85 12 R
32 LD Lydman Toni Calgary Flames 25.09.77 185 90 92 6 L

8 RW Selänne Teemu Colorado Avalanche 3.07.70 183 93 100 56 R
10 LW Nieminen Ville Calgary Flames 6.04.77 181 93 10 2 L
11 C Koivu Saku Montreal Canadiens 23.11.74 179 82 91 30 L
12 C Jokinen Olli Florida Panthers Miami 5.12.78 188 90 91 26 L
15 C Ruutu Tuomo Chicago Black Hawks 16.02.83 185 96 0 0 L
16 LW Peltonen Ville HC Lugano -SUI 24.05.73 180 84 169 51 L
22 RW Eloranta Mikko TPS Turku -FIN 24.08.72 183 86 65 15 L
23 LW Laaksonen Antti Minnesota Wild 3.10.73 183 85 23 3 L
24 RW Kapanen Sami Philadelphia Flyers 14.06.73 177 80 106 34 L
25 RW Hentunen Jukka HC Fribourg-Gotteron -SUI 3.05.74 178 88 80 31 R
26 LW Lehtinen Jere Dallas Stars 24.06.73 182 89 76 26 R
36 C Hahl Riku Colorado Avalanche 1.11.80 185 87 0 0 L
37 RW Ruutu Jarkko Vancouver Canucks 23.08.75 188 93 46 7 L
39 C Kapanen Niko Dallas Stars 29.04.78 177 80 86 16 L
61 C Pirnes Esa Los Angeles Kings 1.04.77 184 86 54 7 L

________________________________________________________________________________
Average Height 184,16 cm
Average Weight 88,76 kg
Average Age 28,07 years


TEAM MANAGEMENT

Head Coach Raimo Summanen
Coach Erkka Westerlund
Coach Jari Kurri
Team Manager Timo Jutila
Physician Ismo Syvähuoko
Masseur Juha Sulin
Equipment Managers Pentti Lillfors and Kari Virpiö

*edit*
Linkage: http://www.finhockey.fi/maajoukkuee...-2004/world_cup_30_8-14_9_2004/wch_joukkueet/

there's a table there with the name Suomi, whihc is a word file for the squad.. Finhockey.fi is the Finnish ice Hockey federations website.

Click to read more...

 

[Raimo Sillanpää]

Niinimaa is missing?? whoa..

otherwise very solid looking team,

 

[psycho_dad*]

Niinimaa is missing?? whoa..

otherwise very solid looking team,

He was so lost in world champs, no surprise really. I am surprised that Toskala is in over Nurminen.

Eloranta is a bit of a surprise too.

 

[Raimo Sillanpää]

He was so lost in world champs, no surprise really. I am surprised that Toskala is in over Nurminen.

Eloranta is a bit of a surprise too.

Niinmaa, is however excellent on the small ice.. bneing lost on the big ice, well, I'd feel bummed if I was him..

*edit*
Nice thing to note though, that despite the 3 under 23's rule being removed, there's still 3 in the squad. Testament to the great work being done with juniors these days..

 

[IFK]

Niinmaa, is however excellent on the small ice.. bneing lost on the big ice, well, I'd feel bummed if I was him..

No he isn´t! If you watch this season Islanders games you saw that he was horrible.

 

[psycho_dad*]

That list is 1 player short, and Pitkänen has number #2, so maybe Niinimaa will be #44?

 

[Ajacied]

Wouldn't it be wiser selecting a winger above one of their 6 centers, of one is no one less then Riku Halh? I kinda expected Miettinen to make it..

 

[Leo Naphta]

That list is 1 player short, and Pitkänen has number #2, so maybe Niinimaa will be #44?

Yeah, I noticed that too. Does anyone know if they will only go with 25 players, name one later (don't think it is allowed though), or have they simply forgotten to name the last player?

 

[psycho_dad*]

Wouldn't it be wiser selecting a winger above one of their 6 centers, of one is no one less then Riku Halh? I kinda expected Miettinen to make it..

Well to me it looks like Tuomo Ruutu will be playing wing. There is no point wasting him as 3rd line center, since the team really looks like 2 offensive lines and 2 defensive lines. I guess that is why Hahl was selected, and Pirnes. They are defensive forwards. I never expected Miettinen to make it...can't find a decent role for him in this team. He does not fit in top 6 offensive forwards and we have loads of defensive forwards that are better.

 

[eh]

It's getting more interesting: according to the official website of the Finnish Hockey Federation (http://www.finhockey.fi/taustasivut/artikkeliarkisto/?num=66051) Jere Karalahti was selected to the squad, but NHL doesn't allow him to play. So that's why there were only 25 names on the list. Now the question is whether Team Finland is allowed to replace Karalahti and whether Janne Niinimaa is interested when he was first left out...

 

[psycho_dad*]

http://www.finhockey.fi/taustasivut/artikkeliarkisto/?num=66051

Jere Karalahti was selected, but NHL is saying he will not be allowed to play?

Not that I want him on the team, but I can't stand the american hypocrisy.

 

[Flonaldo]

The missing D-man is Karalahti. At this point the NHL isn't allowing him to participate :-/ I don't think they should have any say at this point in time anymore.

 

[Raimo Sillanpää]

Damn, beat me this time! Was just about to come and say that I found out it was Karalahti..

He'll probably be finalised quite soon..

 

[Klown]

LOL @ NHL. :lol

 

[IFK]

Why Heatley can play but Karalahti not. Karalahti wasn´t kill enybody. What about Thornton and Belfour. They have also something in the past.

 

[psycho_dad*]

Why Heatley can play but Karalahti not. Karalahti wasn´t kill enybody. What about Thornton and Belfour. They have also something in the past.

Yeah but Karalahti drank alcohol. I say drive him out of town with pitchforks and burn him!

 

[IFK]

What about Bertuzzi. He almost kill somebody on the ice and NHL let him play next year.

 

[Raimo Sillanpää]

Kiprusoff - #1
Toskala - good choice. Was teammates with Miika in SJ, these two surely know each other and how to motivate each other. Very clever choice, now that I think about it I'm glad it's Vesa and not Pasi..
Lehtonen - great choice.

Karalahti over Niinimaa - Hmmmmm.. not sure.. I'd rather have had Niinimaa's versatility.. plus how would it affect the squad if we can't get Karalahti in, does Niinimaa like being #9 defender then? Or is naming 25 an objection to the NHL? That could be a smart move that motivates the team..

Defence - general
Good choices, all NHL players. Youth (Väänänen, Pitkänen) Experience (Numminen) somewhat suprised by the inclusion of Berg.. #7 on my list right now.. #8 actually if we get Jere..

Forwards - nice mix. Good selections. Pärssinen didn't deserve to be there, Hentunen did. Eloranta surprise choice, I agree with the selection of Pirnes.. he does his job well, and isn't unfamiliar with stepping up when the hour calls (SM-Liiga playoffs 2002-2003), almost scored the winner against Canada (but the breakaway attempt was offside iirc)

 

[GKJ]

The missing D-man is Karalahti. At this point the NHL isn't allowing him to participate :-/ I don't think they should have any say at this point in time anymore.

Right or wrong, they do have say. This is not an IIHF event, it is 'a joint NHL/NHLPA venture'

That said they had to name the team but they can still name more players later. So either Niinimaa wasn't named because they want to try and get Karalahti on the team or Niinimaa simply declined (he was very beat up anyways).


That said I think Niinimaa declined because there is no way Berg makes the team over him.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

As always a hard working and high energy team with good goaltending and a mobile defense. Not very talented up front, but should probably make some teams' lives a living hell.

 

[John Flyers Fan]

That said I think Niinimaa declined because there is no way Berg makes the team over him.

Berg was much improved this year IMO.

Also the's been one of the better Leaf defenseman against the Flyers in the playoffs the las two season. IMO he outplayed Leetch, McCabe, Kaberle and Svehla.

 

[psycho_dad*]

And he is hard hitting. That's the major reason he is there, playing type that Finland lacks. Lots of puck movers, even if Niinimaa is the best. But this will probably mean that Joni will play his role

I'd rate Timonen and Pitkänen way above Niinimaa on the puck moving.

 

[Jyssy]

Niinimaa has never played good in national team, but Karalahti?? Im glad NHL does not allow him to play. Riku Hahl is a really surprising pick. Besides that this is the team i would have chosen.

 

[RoyIsALegend*]

No Janne Niinimaa? Wow... I thought he'd have been there for sure. I could certainly see the Niinimaa supporters making a case for him being there over Aki Berg and maybe even Joni Pitkanen.

As an Avs fan, I am happy to see Riku Hahl make the team. I expected Teemu Selanne and Ossi Vaananen to be locks, but seeing Riku make the squad has made me content. He is an under-appreciated, very hard-working role player that excels defensively. You could say that about half the forwards, however. Hahl, Ville Nieminen, Mikko Eloranta, Anti Laaksonen, Niko Kapanen and Esa Pirnes are all valuable role-players.

I like this Finnish team... very 'complete' roster with all the ingredients of a winner. They may not match the top-end talent of other countries, but if their big line of Selanne, Saku Koivu and Jere Lehtinen play up to their abilities, the defense maintains a simple game with physicality, and Miikka Kiprusoff plays well... they have a chance at a medal.

 

[Askel]

First of IFK about the Bertuzzi thing shut up. Moore wasnt even closed to beeing killed and Bertuzzi cant play in this event since hes suspended and the comment about Heatley is bad. His best friend was killed in a car accident god damn it. I dont think Danny planned it.

Karalahti is suspended from the NHL since he refused their substance abuse program and went home to finland to play, the NHL said then that he could never play in NHL again.