This week’s star player is a no-contest. Joonas Nättinen led the group in points, and was once again nominated for the Finnish National Team for the back-to-back games against Sweden in mid-February. These matches will feature two other Canadiens prospects, with Artturi Lehkonen also suiting up for Finland, and Magnus Nygren for Sweden.
Joonas Nättinen, JYP
This was Nättinen’s week, with a goal in the first game of a back-to-back set against Kalpa, and an assist in the second game against Kärpät. It is interesting what moving back to your hometown team can do to a career. He has started to produce, and getting a second call to represent Finland internationally is a huge deal.
I was among those counting him out after his season in Modo last year, and to see him taking another step forward instead, I can admit that I was completely wrong.
Lukas Vejdemo, Djurgården Hockey
Vejdemo has played the last two games as a centreman. It seems that Djurgården is developing him step by step, letting him get used to the SHL before moving him back to his usual position. I have not watched a Djurgården game in a while, and will try to catch Thursday’s game against Rögle to get a better understanding of his deployment change.
Vejdemo had an assist in Tuesday’s game against Karlskrona, and is back up to fourth place among the league’s U20s in scoring.
Magnus Nygren, Färjestads BK
Nygren did not manage to put up any points this week, but has been asked to play a tighter defensive game due to his team needing points desperately to avoid the “play-in,” which is like a wild card game for the playoffs.
He did receive a call from Swedish coach Mårds, and will play against Finland in the previously mentioned back-to-back games later this month.
Artturi Lehkonen, Frölunda HC
Lehkonen’s dry spell continues, but his play is still good, working all over the ice, and in Tuesday’s game he split the defenders with a beautiful move, but just couldn’t bury the chance.
Lehkonen also got the call for the national team and is improving his chances for a World Championship position everyday.
Martin Réway, Fribourg-Gottéron
He played no games, as is still struggling with a suspected concussion. He won’t be playing for the Slovak team, likely due to the fact that he is currently injured.
Unfortunately there was not much to report from Europe this week, but hopefully there will be more to talk about as we head deeper into the month of February.
