DistantNews
Support us
Ice Hockey: Konsta Helenius grew from prospect to Leijonat hero
🇫🇮 Finland /Sports

Ice Hockey: Konsta Helenius grew from prospect to Leijonat hero

From Helsingin Sanomat · () Finnish

Translated from Finnish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources Outcome reported
  • Konsta Helenius, 20, proved his mettle by delivering crucial goals and assists in the latter stages of the Ice Hockey World Championship, including the overtime winner in the final.
  • His performance validated his confident pre-game assertion that he performs better in high-pressure situations.
  • Teammates and coaches praised Helenius's personality, confidence, and clutch performance, with one coach comparing him to an NHL prototype center.

Konsta Helenius, at just 20 years old, transformed from a promising talent into a hero for the Finnish national ice hockey team, Leijonat, during the World Championship. His confident declaration before the quarter-final match against the Czech Republic – "When the games get tougher, it gets easier" – proved prophetic.

When the games get tougher, it gets easier.

— Konsta HeleniusSaid before the Ice Hockey World Championship quarter-final match against the Czech Republic.

Before that statement, Helenius had not scored in the tournament. However, he ignited in the playoffs, netting a goal in the quarter-final, adding a goal and an assist in the semi-final, and ultimately scoring the overtime winner in the championship final. His performance was a masterclass in clutch play, fulfilling his own bold predictions.

This pattern of performing under pressure was evident earlier in his career. As a 17-year-old, Helenius confidently told his then-coach Olli Jokinen that he would score if given the chance to take a penalty shot. He proceeded to execute a skillful move, scoring against HIFK's goalie Roope Taponen. Jokinen lauded the young player, calling him a prototype NHL center.

Of course I will take it and score a goal.

— Konsta HeleniusResponding to a coach's question about taking a penalty shot in a 2023 game.

Known for his outspoken nature, Helenius has been described by those close to him as a cheerful, talkative, and reliable individual who always gets the job done. Teammates echoed these sentiments after the final. Mikael Granlund expressed his admiration, calling Helenius a "natural child" who brings a lot to the team both on and off the ice. Granlund also playfully noted Helenius's strong self-confidence during the tournament, advising him to "take it easy, kid" at times.

Konsta is heading towards what I see as the NHL prototype center.

— Olli JokinenPraising Konsta Helenius after a game in 2023.

Born in Ylöjärvi, Helenius comes from a hockey-playing family. His older brother, Kalle, plays in the Mestis league, and his younger brother, Kasperi, plays in a youth team. The entire family was present at the World Championship final, witnessing Helenius's game-winning goal, which led to an emotional moment in the stands with his mother, Maiju.

Now you can praise the guy. I love that guy! What a personality he is, happy and such a natural child.

— Mikael GranlundCommenting on Konsta Helenius after the World Championship final.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Helsingin Sanomat in Finnish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog