At a press conference from Sault Ste. Marie following the Greyhounds victory over the North Dakota Fighting Sioux, GM David Springgay announced the roster for team Finland at the upcoming world Junior tournament.
"We have been placed into a tough group for the tournament" Stated GM Springgay, "However, we have a lot of talent and I believe we will not only make the playoff rounds but could challenge for a medal if we play to our potential. We are being overlooked by a lot of teams and that will lead to our success."
The team will be strongest in goal as it will be led by Lethbridge Hurricanes goalie Juha Metsola and highly touted Harri Sateri who will be coming into camp battling for the #1 position. The teams 3rd goalie will be promising youngster Joni Ortio.
The blueline is shaping up to be the weakest part of the team although there is a good lead core on the back end. The blue line is led by Jyri Niemi, Ari Grondahl, and Tomi Kivisto three highly touted young blueliners. The bottom half of the blue line is made up of Simon Gronvaldt, Rasmus Rissanen along with highly touted youn dane Philip Larsen who will be a future leader at the international level. The taxi squad is comprised of youngsters Teemu Eronen, Stefan Espelund and Sami Vatanen.
Up front there is a solid mix of high flying offensive talent along with dependable two way players. The offence will be led by dane Mikkeal Boedkker, Teemu Hartikainen and Niclas Lecenius. The Fins though will also be counting on contributions offensively Joonas Nattinen, Toni Rajala, and Eero Elo. The rest of the forward core is made up of Tomi Sallinen, Mats Froshaug, Martin Laumann Ylven, Jere Sallinen, Joonas Rask and Antti Roppo. The only forward on the taxi squad is Matias Sointu.
Going into camp Finals lineup shapes up like this: Mikkel Boedkker / Niclas Lucenius / Teemu Hartikainen Eero Elo / Tomi Sallinen / Toni Rajala Mats Froshaug / Joonas Nattinen / Martin Lauman Ylven Jere Sallinen / Joonas Rask / Antti Roppo
Jyri Niemi / Ari Grondahl Tommi Kivisto / Simon Gronvaldt Philip Larsen / Rasmus Rissanen
Harri Sateri Juha Metsola
Taxi Squad: G Joni Ortiom, D Teemu Eronen, D Stefan Espelund, D Sami Vatanen, and RW Matias Sointu
-- Edited by Colts21 on Wednesday 2nd of December 2009 01:38:03 PM
