According to Juhamatti Aaltonen, Konsta Helenius’ future is bright.
Konsta Helenius presented her gold medal at the gold party organized in Helsinki on Monday. Atte Kajova
20-year-old Konsta Helenius rose to the attention of the entire nation the night before Monday when he won Finland’s fifth ice hockey world championship in history.
Helenius, a member of the Buffalo Sabres’ organization, scored the only goal of the World Cup final, when he shot the puck into the Swiss net in overtime at the end of a wonderful individual performance.
But what kind of player and personality is the recent world champion?
Iltalehti asked Helenius’ former teammate Juhamatti Aalto about it.
Although it has been a few years since they played together, Aaltonen remembers that the young attacker made an impression right from the first meters.
– He was a shameless guy even then. Saw he was a gamer. He was so young that sometimes it was completely forgotten. Really cheeky, competitive and he came elegantly, as a young man should come, Aaltonen states.
– He didn’t bow down to anyone. A good guy and such a funny guy and a really good personality too. As a young boy, he took a place in the game in a stylish way.
Aaltonen and Helenius played together in Mikkeli Jukurei in the 2022–23 season. Vesa Pöppönen / AOP
Helenius has appeared in the media as a happy, positive and self-confident young star. According to Aaltonen, the same energy was already visible in Jukurei.
However, one feature in particular set him apart from his peers.
– He played hard and fought hard. Maybe compared to today’s youth, he had a certain shamelessness. He didn’t bow down to the pictures, but pushed to go and even seemed to get excited about the competition.
– I immediately remembered that okay, this is a good boy. That this guy has character, Aaltonen added.
Feedback from erks
Helenius’ bat taping has been taken into account. Pasi Liesimaa
Over the years, Helenius’ trademark has also become a special bat taping: a few rounds at the top of the stage and black tape at the bottom. It also caught the eye of Aaltonen, who served as captain in Jukurei.
– They were pretty outrageous “Czechs” from the old union. I must have said once that I should change them a bit. When he was a young boy, something was thrown as a joke about those tough tapes.
Aaltonen says that he already saw signs of exceptional potential in 16-year-old Helenius.
– If someone comes at the age of 16 [SM-liigaan] and is able to immediately play and make a result, so it says that he has a pretty good future ahead of him.
After the Jukurit years, Helenius’ skating has developed the most.
– It has visibly improved. It looks really nimble and light. When he accelerates, Potku has good dynamism, Aaltonen states.
However, the greatest strength is still found between the ears.
– His strength is competition and shameless nature. It shows in the fact that he doesn’t give up. He has an air of arrogance, and that is his greatest strength.
“I see no reason”
Helenius is one of Finland’s most promising hockey stars. Pasi Liesimaa
In the season that ended, Helenius mainly played in the AHL club Rochester Americans, but he also got to show his skills on the NHL side in the Buffalo Sabres. He played nine games in the regular season, and in the playoffs he scored two goals in four games.
Aaltonen believes that the attacker, who hit 3+3 in the World Cup, will break into the ranks of Sabres’ regular players next season.
– Buffalo has a tough team, but he already played those four games in the playoffs and scored two goals. I would think that it was enough in itself that he will get a place next year. I don’t see any reason why you shouldn’t.
Finally, Aaltonen would also like to send his greetings to the Helenius family.
– He does have a great future ahead of him. The parents should be proud that they have raised such a well-behaved and all-round good guy.