The NHL legend whispers tips to the SM league sensation: “Incredible”

When the under-20 ice hockey World Cup starts for Finland on the 26th with a match against Canada, the head coach of the Young Lions has Lauri Mikkola a player in an exceptionally strong mood commands the field.

A 19-year-old and over 190-centimeter winger representing Ilves Jani Nyman has accumulated 22 points in 28 SM league matches, of which no fewer than 14 are goals.

The number of goals is exceptional for a player going to the U20 tournament. When Nyman left Ilves and went on the World Cup trip on Thursday, he was the top name on the Liiga goal exchange.

Super chain

– The good mood has remained from the last league matches, Nyman said before the Young Lions headed towards Sweden on Friday.

– There shouldn’t have been a goal last weekend… Let’s fix it, there was a goal. I can start the races with good confidence. Hopefully, there will be even more self-confidence for yourself and the team.

Nyman’s 14th goal of the season came in Tampere’s local match, when the skillful chain guy, playmaker Oula Palve mastered the preliminary work and the big Nyman was in the right place at the right time.

– I pretty much see myself as a goal scorer. I’m a certain kind of power forward. The skill is there and I can score goals.

Nyman has been playing in Ilves for the longest time now Emeli Finland with. Chain friends are the elite of the series and the aftermath has been devastating.

– In that chain, we have all complemented each other. I can see that I myself am the most goal scorer, but I can also pass.

– I have been able to play the latest games in a very good chain. Hopefully that will fuel these games.

From a football player

Nyman, who talks calmly and politely in the interview, will be 20 years old next summer.

The biggest puck talents are taken to North America at the age of 18. Possibly because of his age, Nyman has not been super promised in the headlines.

Futispitäjä The young man from Valkeakoski moved to Tampere to live alone when he started playing for Ilves A-juniors.

– The fourth season alone in Tampere is now underway. However, it was easy to move back in the day, because the parents and brothers have been quite close, and in addition, there was a lot of support from the club. I got everything I needed.

After one A-junior season, Nyman moved to Mestis Koovee. The second season of league hockey is now underway.

– It was a big leap from Mestis to be able to join the pace of the League. However, now I am a year more experienced and more developed.

– I worked hard in the summer and it has now produced good results.

A mentor in the NHL

In the summer, Nyman signed an NHL contract with the Seattle Kraken, who booked him in the second round in the summer of 2022. Strictly speaking, Nyman is a loan player from Seattle for Ilves.

Nyman says that he is in contact with the NHL club every week. On the other end of the line is a former NHL player Frans Nielsenwhose title is development Coachdevelopment coach.

– There will be lots of tips and areas for development. I get another perspective there. One comes from my own training in Finland and the other from there.

Nielsen played 925 regular season games in the NHL and scored 473 power points. He is the most powerful Dane of all time in the series and the country’s puck legend.

– He has been a big help. He has such a long playing background that he is able to give great and good advice. It’s been crazy talking to him, Nyman enthuses.

Nielsen’s tips are often related to “small and big” things in hockey, such as fighting situations and puck theft.

Based on the power points, the number of tips hasn’t confused the head of the young Pirkanmaa resident, at least so far.

– I am always open to accepting help and I strive to develop myself as best I can.

– I trust that when you do a lot of work, you can achieve your dreams. We go towards them all the time.