EDMONTON | Aatu Räty is certainly using the Hockey World Junior Championship to prove he’s a much better player than conveyed in his 2020-2021 draft year.
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After three games he is Mason McTavish’s closest and the competition’s top scorer. The New York Islanders contender added three points to his record in a 9-3 win over Slovakia today, taking his total since the start of the competition to eight, two points behind McTavish.
That’s a good thing, as Canada and Finland face off in a match for first place in Group A tonight!
But in the case of Räty (pronounced Ratou), while you can let the stats tell you what you want, you have to admit that his offensive performance after three games is representative of how he has played so far.
Fast, intense and involved in all game situations, he was without a doubt one of the most dangerous players for the Finns in the first three games.
“I’m happy with my game, we didn’t concede a goal and scored several. The team wins, I like that,” he said modestly after today’s game when asked if he was satisfied with his game so far.
However, his trio partners Joakim Kemell and Roni Hirvonen were more flattering to him.
“He’s a great skater and he has a good view of the game. He’s very intelligent,” praised Kemell, who is just behind Räty with seven points in the tournament standings.
“He’s so good,” added Hirvonen, the team captain. He improved his skating a lot. He’s such a talented player, he always spots me on the ice when I’m spotted. »
HATCHING
The name Räty may be familiar to you, and if not, we will give you a summary.
Before the start of the 2020-2021 season, many saw the Finnish centerman as the top pick for the NHL Draft. However, an underperforming season so dwarfed his star that he eventually had to wait until midway through the second round in 52nd place to hear his name from the New York Islanders.
This choice could ultimately please the islanders as Räty came back well last year.
After a slow start with Kärpät in the Liiga, he was moved to the Jökerit formation where he exploded with 40 points in 41 games.
The Islanders then took him to Bridgeport, where he played two regular-season games with the Islanders Farm Club, then six in the playoffs.
“I think confidence is really the key for me. During my draft year, I played an average of 10 minutes per game, while last year I spent nearly 20 minutes on the ice every night, in addition to playing advantage and disadvantage. These are things that help build confidence in your abilities. »
Productive threesome
Aatu Räty is not the only architect behind his success since the competition began. His line with Kemell and Hirvonen is one of the best in the tournament so far.
“We are different players and complement each other well,” said Kemell. I’m the scorer, and Aatu and Roni love to set up plays. They’re still trying to find the pass line for me. Our trio works very well. »
So it wouldn’t be surprising if this trio faces that of McTavish with Connor Bedard and Brennan Othmann tonight.
A challenge that appeals to Räty, who didn’t know that after today’s game he was within two points of the Canadian captain.
“But I know very well that it is he who is at the top! Everything he does, he does well. He played in the NHL last year and it shows. He can score and pass. I can’t wait to face him. »
Finns in good spirits
The Finns have no qualms about taking on Canada tonight in a match for first place in Group A.
“Right now we are at the same level as them and we have the confidence to beat them. It’s going to be an interesting game,” said Finn head coach Antti Pennanen today.
“It’s going to be a tough game,” added striker Joakim Kemell. They’ve been playing really better since their first game against Latvia. I saw five or six periods of these and they were very good. They’re looking for a lot of talent but I think we’ll be tough opponents. We play well both in possession and defensively. Clearly, we’re going to be their biggest test yet. »
PHYSICAL STYLE
Photo Agency QMI, John Morris
Finnish striker Joakim Kemell
For Kemell, a first-round pick by the Nashville Predators last draft, it will be important to play a physical game against the Canadian team.
“Our mentality is simple: we want to be better than them. I think it will start with the physical aspect. We have to win the physical part of the game and then take our chances to score. »
SIMILAR TEAMS
It must be admitted that Canada and Finland have followed a similar path so far.
Both teams have won their three games in the tournament so far, but only a small point separates them in the standings as the Finns defeated the Czechs on penalties in their second meeting of the competition, earning them two ranking points instead of three.
The Finns scored 19 goals in total and conceded seven against 21 goals for Canada and four against.
“The difference between the two teams is that they know each other,” noted Canada assistant coach Louis Robaille. They played a lot of hockey together and had friendly matches against the Czechs before coming here. They installed this chemistry as we grow each day. We’re making progress and tomorrow there will be two good teams against each other. »