Finland’s world championship win inspires young hockey players at summer camps

Finland’s gold medal victory at the ice hockey world championships has energized junior training camps across the country, with young players in Hämeenlinna and Rovaniemi citing the national team’s performance as motivation, reports Finnish public broadcaster Yle.

At a camp in Hämeenlinna, 13-year-olds Aaro Sillantaka and Miiko Kari-Koskinen studied the play of team captains Aleksander Barkov and Konsta Helenius during Sunday’s final, then tested the tactics themselves on the ice. “The pace was intense the whole game,” Kari-Koskinen said. “Helenius’s style and moves were impressive.”

In Rovaniemi, an 8-year-old camper, Eemil Semenoja, already dreams of following in the team’s footsteps—specifically to the NHL. “Maybe Colorado,” he said when asked about his ambitions.

The camps also drew inspiration from Finland’s newest world champion, Vili Saarijärvi, whose namesake training session began Monday in Rovaniemi. Saarijärvi is expected to visit the camp Wednesday, a highlight for participants like 8-year-old Väinö Uutela. “It’ll be fun to meet him at the end,” Uutela said.

Organizers noted the championship win had boosted attendance and enthusiasm. In Hämeenlinna, roughly 70 young players joined the Hämpton Hockey League camp, while Rovaniemi’s “Vili’s Game Camp” drew its youngest participants, including Semenoja and Uutela.