Finland has an interesting trio of goalkeepers at the World Youth Championships.
Petteri Rimpinen (left), Noa Vali and Kim Saarinen leaving the ice in Cornwall. TIMO KUNNARI
- In principle, Finland does not have a first-choice goalkeeper in the World Youth Championships.
- Goalkeeper coach Markus Korhonen analyzes the defenders.
The goalkeeper trio of the Young Lions in the under-20 World Cup is Petteri Rimpinen (Kiekko-Espoo), Noa Vali (TPS) and Kim Saarinen (HPK)
Iltalehti asked Markus Korhose, the goalkeeper coach of the Finnish team, for analyzes of Finnish goalkeepers – as well as a familiar name with whom they can be compared.
The Finnish tournament starts in Ottawa on Boxing Day, i.e. December 27 at 2:30 a.m. Finnish time.
I chose a new beginning
Noa Vali played two matches in last winter’s World Cup. PDO
The 185-centimeter Vali is a TPS player from Forssaly. A difficult season is going on in Turku.
– The man from Forssa played two excellent games in the World Cup last year. Probably his own expectations for this season were high. He has improved since last season, but still has a lot to improve, as always with players of that age. He is ready for a new free start, and this tournament can provide an opportunity for that, Korhonen thinks.
– A pleasant person, he has a desire to learn. It’s nice to work with a guy like that. He has trained well here in Canada.
– In some ways, he reminds me of Antero Niittymäki, both have the same composure and calmness in their work, Korhonen continues.
Niittymäki played 234 NHL regular season games in the Flyers, Lightning and Sharks organizations.
Comet Rimpinen
Petteri Rimpinen is aiming for the title of Finland’s number one defender at the World Cup tournament in Ottawa. AOP / JUSSI MÄÄTTA
Kiekko-Espoo came back to the League and has not beaten others. The team went on a short Christmas break in fourth place in the series. Rimpinen has been a big factor behind the success of the Espoo team.
– He has had a great autumn in the League, it has been great to watch. The level has remained and he has won many matches for his team, maybe the team has not always been so good there. Much has been written about him during the autumn.
– It’s about good talent and the fact that there’s already a lot of work done in the background. You have to be mentally strong to be able to play in that style at that age. He is a mature guy, not everyone is at that age, Korhonen reflects.
– He is pleasant to coach, he understands things and the game. The competitive spirit is fierce, he tries to block every puck in practice. He has something in common with Juuse Saros.
Saros is the goaltender for the Nashville Predators.
NHL Saarinen
Kim Saarinen has already signed an NHL contract with the Seattle Kraken. AOP / TOMI NATRI
Saarinen is the tallest of Finland’s top three, no less than 193 centimeters tall. Saarinen is a Seattle Kraken contract player, but this season he is playing for HPK.
– Kim’s strength is the mental side, relaxation. But he also knows when to take things seriously. He has a good head and often gets the best out of the game. He is bigger than our other two goalkeepers. He looks like a modern NHL goaltender.
– He played a lot in the League recently and won. It’s a player under an NHL contract, that speaks of talent.
– Kim directly reminds me of today’s big and very mobile NHL goaltender. He has all the qualities to be a top goalkeeper. In a certain way, he could be compared to big former Finns, such as Tuukka Raski and Pekka Rinte.
The Finnish coaching staff has not named a first goalkeeper for the team.
The WC tournament starts on Boxing Day and ends on January 5.