Direct words from Jukka Jalose about Konsta Helenius: “Surely belonged in the top 3”

Helenius scored the deciding goal in the overtime in 70.42 at the end of a handsome individual performance. The first-string winger’s balance in the five matches he played was 3+3.

Jalonen was not surprised that it was Helenius who scored the championship goal. He got to see Helenius already at the Czech World Championships in 2024.

“We took Konsta to the Czech Games, and he did well there as well. You could already see in the league games that there is potential,” says Jalonen.

“He was a young boy, but his playing courage, daring with the puck, game intelligence. He did stand out from the crowd.”

The courage to play with one’s own strengths also came to the fore in the World Cup final in front of the Swiss stands. Helenius brazenly curved from the corner to the shooting position with one hand carrying the puck and scored the only goal of the match.

Jalonen was impressed at the World Championships by how Helenius had developed in two seasons. The list is long.

“Movement, physicality, skating speed, effort to score, determination, shooting…”

“Yes, he was definitely in the top 3 when I thought about which of the Finns could score a goal in overtime. An amazing and fearless player. That’s a quality that can’t be taught.”

Noble celebrated three world championships and one Olympic gold in his career. Pennanen took the lead after Jalonen, and now the World Championship gold was hung around his neck.

“Last season was challenging, as it has often been for us Leijonat coaches.”

In Pennanen’s opening season, Finland finished last in the 4 Nations tournament and was eliminated in the quarterfinals of the World Cup against the United States. This season, the course turned. First came the Olympic bronze and now the World Championship gold.

“Antti was able to turn the course, and I’m sure they discussed with the management team and the coaching team after last season what they need to improve and change. There was a really good mood at the Olympics. If [Aleksander] Barkov would have been involved”, could have won more than bronze.

Jalonen says that he tried to be Pennanen’s support, even though it is not a matter of constant peer support.

“There have been messages from time to time. When it was more difficult last year, I gave a little encouragement. I have tried to give positive feedback when I have seen that things are going well.”

“Simple things, but they affect the coach’s mood.”

Those who have followed Penna have noticed a clear change in the man. The man who appeared uncertain in the opening season is more confident and relaxed than before. There are also jokes.

Jalonen believes that the success and the compliments given by the players in public have helped in this matter.

“Although he certainly doesn’t follow an awful lot of media, he’s not completely able to live with his eyes closed. He always hears or sees comments from someone. If they’re constantly negative, it’s not nice. It affects all people.”

“I’m really happy for Antti. It’s really great that he received such an award already in the second year.”

Noble you can see that Finland, Switzerland and Canada, who ended up in fourth place, stood out from the start. Finland’s game looked so good that the belief in success was strong from the first moments.

Calmness and determination, excellent material and strong special situation play captured the vision.

When asked, Jalonen brings up one tournament from his own head coaching career, where the feeling behind the bench was similar and just as confident as now on the sofa at home.

“I don’t remember all of them, but the 2022 Olympics is the only tournament where we didn’t lose a single game. We didn’t give the opponent much of anything. It was a rough tournament for us.”