Konsta Helenius is playing a sharp fall in the Rochester Americans team in the AHL. Senter’s departure for the under-20 World Cup tournament is still uncertain.
Konsta Helenius has produced 19 power points in AHL games this season. PDO
- Finland may not be able to include Konsta Helenius in the under-20 World Cup tournament, which starts on December 26.
- Helenius has only positive memories of the World Junior Championships.
Konsta Helenius has already played in two under-20 world championships. Due to his age, Tappara’s grown-up can be included in the Finnish team for this year’s tournament as well. Helenius would be the first center of the Young Lions, but a trip to ice-cold Minnesota at the turn of the year is not even a certainty.
– You always want to represent your country. If the employer wants me to go there and they let me into the tournament, then in that case I’m going, Helenius tells Iltalehte.
– At the moment, the Buffalo Sabers want me to stay here in Rochester and continue the same good game that I have played in the early season, Helenius continues.
The time for competition decisions is later this month.
– If the situation is the same later in December, I won’t be able to go to the Games. You have to listen to the employer. The club decides this matter, reminds Helenius.
Close to the championship
Konsta Helenius has already played in two under-20 World Cups. PDO
Last year Finland won Lauri Mikkolan in coaching, they did well in the World Cup finals, where they only lost to the United States in overtime. In the tournament played in Ottawa a year ago, Finland was just one goal away from the world championship.
– It was a really great race. It was nice to see friends and play for medals. Of course, it’s sad that we didn’t win when we were really close, Helenius says.
The Under-20 World Cup tournament will be played this season in the state of Minnesota in the cities of St. Paul and Minneapolis.
One initial block and two quarterfinals will be played in both cities. The elimination match will be played in Minneapolis, and the semifinals, bronze medal match and final match will be played in St. Paul.
Familiar people
Lauri Mikkola led the under-20 national team to the finals at last year’s World Championships. PDO
Finland plays in the B group of the tournament, whose matches are played in Minneapolis.
Nuoret Leijonat opens its tournament with a match against Denmark on Boxing Day at 22:30 Finnish time.
– There were a lot of players born in 2006 in last year’s tournament. It’s good if there are a lot of the same guys who already have common experiences and tournaments behind them. There are also good guys born in 2007. There is a good team in Finland, says Helenius.
Good autumn
The Buffalo Sabers drafted Helenius in the first round of the 2024 draft with the No. 14 pick.
Helenius is a contract player with the Sabres. He is playing his second season with Buffalo’s farm team, the Rochester Americans.
During the fall, the Ylöjärvi native has scored 7+12=19 power points in 23 matches.
– You have to be quite satisfied with autumn. I have a good training summer ahead and the training camp also went well. There was a familiar team here that I joined in the fall.
The young man feels that he has taken development steps again in his career.
– I believe that speed and power have increased. I can now be on the puck more and win duels. That’s how many good things in this sport come about, Helenius thinks.
– It also helps that the team’s style of play was familiar this fall. It has not been necessary to learn that this season. Now you already know that.
A look at the NHL
Syracuse Crunch forward Jakob Pelletier (left) tries to stop Konsta Helenius. PDO
Helenius’ goal is to play in the NHL.
– You don’t think about it like that every day. Of course, I work hard to get there. I think that an invitation to the NHL is quite close. But it also depends on what happens over there at the Sabres. If they win, they won’t mess up the pack, Helenius says.
If the Sabers invite their young promise to the NHL, Helenius will definitely miss the World Cup tournament.