Jussi Ahokas is the first European head coach in the history of the OHL.
The principles of Suomi hockey taught by Jussi Ahokka also bite in a narrow rink. Tiffany Luke / Kitchener Rangers
- With the great title, the 42-year-old Finn’s success arouses interest both in Canada and at home.
- As a natural advantage, the man is also followed by the shadow of doubt.
Aiming for the NHL in the future Jussi Ahokka is a tough spot on the screen – despite the fact that in addition to two junior World Cup golds, the merit list also includes selections for Coach of the Year both in the SM League and in Europe.
Series leader
Screens have started coming in immediately. Led by Ahokka, the Kitchener Rangers have won eight of their first 11 games, and the team leads the OHL’s Western Conference.
– There’s still a lot of work ahead, Ahokas says proudly and reminds us of the regular season’s length of 68 matches.
– Only after 20 games will you know more, but we are satisfied with the start. We have attacked well and managed to score a lot of goals.
– The boys have bought a lot of things, and when there have been successes, of course the boys have a lot of self-confidence.
Finnish ice hockey
Ahokas led the Young Lions to the World Cup gold in 2019, and even then it was played in Canada and on a narrow rink. PDO
The things bought by the players and sold to them by Ahokka are somewhat exceptional in the Canadian junior league.
We are talking about taking the best principles of Finnish puck into the narrow rink and North American puck culture.
Not necessarily the easiest trick, but at least in the beginning Ahokas has succeeded.
– Certain attacking rhythms are exactly the same. We don’t go out to control the puck that much, but we also want to stay on the puck, he describes the spices he brought from Finland.
– Only one person has been able to bring them together here. When these are young boys, defense should have been taught more.
New thoughts
Of course, Ahokka also had to make adjustments to his playbook.
– We apply pressure and control in a different way than, for example, it was controlled at Tepsi, he compares to his previous company.
Ahokas went to Canada not only to teach, but also to learn. He lavishly praises his coaching team and the new ideas he gets from it.
– Fighting toughness and playing close to the wings, he sums up the areas where he has learned the most.
– You also had to focus on how you can make space for yourself in a small rink and create scoring opportunities.
Memorial dream
Kitchener’s team is one of the youngest in the league.
– 16 teams will go to the playoffs, but the local newspaper did not predict us there, Ahokas mentions.
– Of course we want to be in the playoffs and go as far as possible. We need to be in the playoffs here in Kitchener.
The OHL, or Ontario Hockey League, is the most famous of Canada’s junior leagues. Two other leagues, the WHL and the QMJHL, are played under the umbrella organization CHL, and there are a total of 60 teams.
In addition to the leagues’ own championships, the CHL’s championship, known as the Memorial Cup, is also decided. Four-time OHL champion Kitchener has won it twice (1982 and 2003).
– It’s a dream, Ahokas says about Memorial.
– Those certain teams that, by applying correctly, apply, are trading players. They usually have quite old teams. Last year, they also invested a lot, he refers to his own company.
At that time, however, Kitchener’s path was cut short in the second round of the playoffs against the London Knights.
– Now we have 16 bookings, which are entered into this series.
Separation to Finland
Despite the rejuvenation surgery, Ahokas feels that he is piloting a competitive group.
– Now it got even stronger when Philip the Butcher came along, he’s happy to see Montreal’s first-round pick return to Kitchener from the AHL side.
– We want to succeed as a team, and it is also important that the players move forward.
– The level of the players is really tough. For example, compared to Finnish A-juniors, the difference is terrible. You can find speed and combat toughness here.
Ahokas reminds that three players played NHL training games in the early fall.
– It tells you what level of players there are here. The best go straight to the NHL, and everyone has that as a clear goal.
Stock market horrors
Kitchener’s players have a quadruple lead in the OHL points market. Number one is Carson Rehkopf on their heels Hunter Brzustewicz, Adrian Misaljevic and Matthew Sop.
– Rehkopf is a big center with a very good shot. Even when you learn to play in two directions, you’re an NHL player – that’s how tough the skill level is, Ahokas incenses the top of the stock market.
Brzustewicz plays as a defender.
– A good puck team that still needs fighting toughness to play in the NHL, Ahokas refrains.
– I can say directly that these would be good players in the SM league.