Finland’s TOP 5 stars: Stanley Cups with Pittsburgh or a draft loser | Hokej.cz

The Finnish selection for the Betano Hockey Games is traditionally based on proven names from Europe, coach Jukka Jalonen has so far called up only two compatriots from the NHL. But the well-organized Northerners will again be very uncomfortable due to their typical style. Which players stand out from their squad?

Harri Säteri (G, 34 years old)

Current season: Biel-Bienne (Switzerland), 43 games, 91.9% and 2.29 G/Z

Number one for Prague? May be. After all, Säteri held the role of privileged goalkeeper numero uno, for example, at the Olympics in Beijing. So, in bold letters, he scratched under the golden success of Suomi, at home he is also looking at the gold and silver from the World Cup. At the age of 34, he is not slowing down even on the club scene, in Biel he was among the best goalkeepers in the Swiss league for the second year in a row. He fulfilled his NHL dream a few years ago in Florida and Arizona.

Olli Määttä (O, 29 years old)

Current season: Detroit (NHL), 72 games, 4+14

Among the goalkeepers of the best league in the world, he is soon attacking seven hundred matches – a relatively respectable performance for a 29-year-old. Määttä has been steadily jumping on the ice in the NHL for eleven years in a row, lifting the Stanley Cup twice in a row with Pittsburgh. Trainers value his character and reliability above all. The fact that he regularly accepts invitations from the national team speaks volumes about him. He will soon appear in his third championship.

Iiro Pakarinen (Ú, 32 years old)

Current season: IFK Helsinki (Finland), 59 matches, 18+12

Energy, quality skating, a dangerous flick of the wrist, versatility and the nature of a hard worker – these are the main attributes, thanks to which Pakarinen made it to 134 games in the NHL. In addition, he completed a number of them alongside Edmonton superstar Connor McDavid. Another member of the 2022 Olympic gold party also owns two World Championship silver plates.

Saku Mäenalanen (Ú, 29 years old)

Current season: Langnau (Switzerland), 44 matches, 11+9

A pure winning type. Just look at the list of his trophies… Even before he was thirty, he won the junior and adult World Championships, the Olympics and the Finnish title three times. The classic power forward benefits a lot from his physical parameters, he can cause mischief in personal fights. Even last year, he wore the Winnipeg jersey match after match.

Jesse Puljujärvi (Ú, 25 years old)

Current season: Pittsburgh (NHL), 22 games, 3+1

Eight years ago, general manager Peter Chiarelli made him the No. 4 pick in the draft. Well, it was one of the moves that still irritates Oilers fans to this day. Matthew Tkachuk, Clayton Keller or Alex DeBrincat and others followed him. In contrast, Puljujärvi never fully fulfilled the prophesied potential. This year he was back up trying to crawl through the farm. Will he work up an appetite at the tournament in Prague?

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