By Warren Kozireski —
When 2024 Buffalo Sabres first round draft pick Konsta Helenius left the Rochester Americans to join Team Finland for the 2025 IIHF U-20 World Junior championships in Ottawa, he was tied for 14th in the American Hockey League among rookies with 17 points.
That tied him for fifth on Rochester through his first 28 games as the youngest player in the league as he will not turn 19 years old until May 11. His scoring pace puts him on track for 43 points. For comparison, fellow first rounder Juri Kulich garnered 46 points in his rookie AHL season.
He was also tied for fourth on the Amerks with five power play points and was 1-for-3 in shootout attempts. Not a bad start for someone who moved to North America just a few months ago.
“I had a really good season last year,” Helenius said just prior to leaving for the World Juniors. “I think it’s good for me to play here; small ice hockey because in Europe there is bigger rinks. Everything (here) comes faster and more battles because of the smaller ice, so guys are closer to you.”
Part of his quick maturity showed on Rochester’s first goal in their final home game before the holiday break. Rochester head coach Michael Leone felt earlier in the season Helenius would have tried to go one-on-one with the defenseman, but twenty-plus games as a pro later, he passed leading to a goal by defenseman Nikita Novikov.
“First games of the season are always hard to play, so maybe now we’re getting good chemistry with our line, so it gives us confidence to make plays.”
Described in The Hockey News 2024 Draft Preview by a scout: “the production is there, the pace is there, the vision and awareness and ability to finish. If he wasn’t 5-foot-11 is he challenging for top five?”
The Buffalo organization is not shielding the rookie as he is a regular on both the power play and the penalty kill this season.
“I like that because you have to be (a) smart player if you want to play PK. Of course I like to be on the ice, doesn’t matter what situation, so I like that.”
Born in Ylöjärvi, Finland—located north of Helsinki—the 5’11, 185 lb. right shot center entered this season after scoring the fourth most points by a player his age in Liiga history behind only Alexander Barkov, Mikael Granlund and Kaapo Kakko.
He does have hockey DNA as his father, Tero, played as a teenager for Tappara in Finland while his older brother, Kalle, also started with Tappara and is now in his second season with Jukurit.
For the next several weeks, Helenius and teammate Anton Wahlberg of Team Sweden will be competing in the World Junior tournament each for the second time. Helenius last year had one goal and one assist over the seven games, so is looking to improve greatly on those numbers with a year under his belt.
Both can tap into the knowledge gained by teammates Juri Kulich, who was named to the tournament All-Star team, and Isak Rosen, both of whom competed in their second World Junior tournament a year ago.
Not that Helenius needs much advice after scoring a shootout goal in a round-robin victory over Sweden last year.
“Always nice to play on the national team. A lot of games since last year’s (tournament) and a long summer with good practice every day, so I’m faster and stronger. One thing that will help me is being here in the AHL. It’s small ice in Ottawa, so I think it’s good for me that I’m here.
As for any personal goals set for the tournament, Helenius does not hesitate.
“Of course I want to win gold there. That’s the goal for everyone. Personally, just play well. I think if you play good, everything else comes with that.”
(Photo by Getty Images, Rochester Americans)
