Lauri Mikkola puts three teams ahead of Finland.
Lauri Mikkola has a lot of work to do in the top countries. Tomi Natri / AOP
Head coach of the Young Lions Lauri Mikkola does not count Finland among the early favorites in the Under-20 World Championships starting on Boxing Day.
In the years 2014–2019, Finland won three gold medals in age group competitions. New NHL stars lit up with constant passing, and the future of lion hockey looked really bright.
Now the situation has taken a turn for the worse. This year too, Finland won’t get the NHL promises of a top scorer.
– If you look at the drafts, we are by no means favorites. Sweden, USA and Canada are traditionally strong, says coach Mikkola.
– It is said that we are among the 4-5, but I refuse to take the pre-favorite coat on my shoulders.
Today, the Czech Republic and Slovakia are also twisting with Finland equally.
– They get quite a lot of players from North America. They haven’t had their top players with them in practice games yet.
Finland’s slowed player production worries Mikkola. Last summer, not a single Finn was booked in the NHL in the first round, and the previous top ten booking came in 2019.
– Maybe our second-third round players have developed a little slower. I believe that our group will also become NHL players, says Mikkola.
A dangerous number one fist would still be good for a coach.
– Of course, I think that such a spearhead would be good.
– Of course, we also have a spearhead of players who have shown that they are capable of being in top roles in their home SM league.