Aron Kiviharju is getting closer to playing condition.
HIFK’s 18-year-old Aron Kiviharju is getting closer to playing condition after a long injury. The defender was injured on October 3rd in training in a minor situation.
The youngster’s series season ended well before that situation.
– The kneecap fell apart. It was an accident and could not have been prepared for. On October 21, the water lily was cut in Turku, Kiviharju recalls the dark events of autumn.
In March, the world of Kiviharju already looks much brighter.
In Summanen’s hands
Aron Kiviharju might play a few matches in Mestis in the spring. MIKKO HUISKO
The ice practice of the second-generation puck player is supervised by a familiar puck personality.
– I have been training on ice for a long time. In practice, I can already skate one hundred percent. Three times a week I skate under the guidance of Raimo Summanen, the rest of the week’s ice training is then led by HIFK’s coaching, Marko Ojanen and Samuel Tilkanen.
– The club’s training is more related to soccer-related tasks, game-like exercises. “Rami” is pure skating, says Kiviharju.
Naturally, all additional training comes into play.
Pretty soon, the great talent will join the training of HIFK’s SM league team.
– If everything goes really well, maybe already next week. In the beginning, of course, without contact, Kiviharju reveals.
No hurry
Kiviharju and HIFK are not in a hurry to return. The youngster’s goal is to play intact in the under-18 World Cup.
What happens before that is still unclear.
– Aron will play before the under-18 World Cup camp, if he plays. A loan to Mesti is possible. He belongs to the list of young players, which means he can move freely between us and Mestis, explains HIFK’s sports director Tobias Salmelainen.
– No decision has been made on the matter yet. The focus is on finding Aron’s game condition. During this month, he will be able to join the team’s training.
Jokers?
The Under-18 Ice Hockey World Championships will be played in Espoo and Vantaa from April 25 to May 5. The venues are Espoo’s Metro Arena and Vantaa’s Tikkurila Arena. Aron Kiviharju’s main goal of the season is in that tournament. MIKA KYLMÄNIEMI / AOP
Kiviharju is rehabilitating right at the end of the Finnish league season. The option may come up that the youngster plays a few matches in the Mestis playoffs, for example in the Jokers.
Transfers between Stadi’s teams are relatively rare. But now both teams have new people behind them compared to previous years. Both clubs are able to think of the best for the young player.
TuTo is another theoretical option in Mestis. Playing in the spring playoffs in HIFK’s shirt is also possible.
– A possible visit to Mestis must then be looked at and discussed with different people. We have to see what makes sense. My number one priority is to play in 100% condition in the under-18 World Cup.
– Of course, the desire to play is huge. I have been on the sidelines for a long time, Kiviharju admits.
Towards the NHL
The defender has played 28 SM league matches in his career. Kiviharju will be reserved for the NHL at the June booking event.
The youngster has a comprehensive contract with HIFK for next season.
HIFK plays in the quarterfinals of the SM league against Pelicans.