Do you know who is venting here? Here is the most powerful Finnish ice hockey player in Europe at the moment.
He is Antti Suomela. Last season, the Espoo native won the Swedish league’s goals and points exchange. Now he leads the Swiss league in points.
Antti Suomela shines in Europe’s top leagues. Suomela has forged 11 power points (4+7) in nine matches in Lausanne.
Antti Suomela sees Switzerland’s successes as a continuation of last season. With the successes, Suomela has dared to realize herself in the hockey arena.
– In a way, I’ve always known what I’m capable of. Success is the sum of many things, but for me it required that things went well for a while. Then I was able to trust myself that I can, Suomela describes to Urheilu.
In the SM league, the teams’ best scorers wear a golden helmet. In Switzerland, on the other hand, the teams’ best scorers are separated by a flaming helmet in the rink.
According to Suomela, it basically doesn’t matter whether you wear a normal or a flame helmet. However, one thing has made me think.
– So far, it’s been sitting on my head a bit badly. I have to figure it out if I have to use it in the future, Suomela says.
Disappointment in Leijon between the top moments
Last spring, Leijonat went to defend the world championship at the World Cup home games in Tampere. There were high expectations for Suomela. After the record readings in Sweden, he was supposed to be one of Finland’s key players.
He was placed as the center of the second chain. However, Suomela did not reach the same level of flight in the World Cup tournament as in the club team in Sweden.
The Lions’ road ended already in the quarterfinals.
– It is difficult to say a single reason why things went the way they did. I would have liked to help the team more than I could, says Suomela about the World Cup home games.
Suomela played in the World Cup opener against the United States, but missed three matches after that due to a lower limb injury. However, he does not want to explain the events of the World Cup with an injury.
– It was in the rear rage, but when I came back it didn’t affect me anymore. The injury didn’t matter after I came back, says Suomela.
A clear reason for the NHL setback
The 29-year-old Suomela returned to the rinks of Europe from North America two years ago. Despite a strong start, Suomela never managed to finally break into the lineup of NHL teams.
Suomela was left with a toothache from the North American trip, that she should have been better among the world’s best players.
– It should be irreplaceable somewhere. Whether it’s scoring, Alivoima or starts or whatever. I feel that I was good or okay at many things, but okay is not enough in the NHL. You have to be able to stand out. That was probably the biggest reason why I didn’t settle down. I wasn’t the best in my gang in any area, Suomela recalls.
Suomela left for the NHL in 2018 as the top scorer in the SM league from the ranks of JYP. He was a traditional late riser who blossomed at a later age.
Worked as JYP’s sports director at the time and evaluated hockey talents for a long time Jukka Holtari stated at the time of the victory in the SM league points exchange that Suomela did not show NHL potential even in his junior years. However, excelling in the SM League opened the door to the NHL.
When the NHL opportunity opened up, Suomela was very grateful Raimo Summanen and Janne Hännenen Help. Suomela praises the same gentlemen now when he is asked about the backgrounds of the huge footprint seen in Europe.
– Without good foundations, it is difficult to play well in the long run, Suomela says about the decisive issue.
Over the years, ice hockey coach Summanen and speed skating expert Hänninen have offered individual coaching to numerous Finnish ice hockey players.
In Suomela’s opinion, Hänninen and Summa have a big role in how far he has reached as a hockey player. The athlete has of course done the hardest work, but Hänninen and Summanen have given the right tips for training.
– The game is getting faster all the time. Reaction and skating skills must be maintained and developed. That has been the biggest thing for me. I have become faster and have been able to play more, Suomela describes.
The Swiss price level surprised me right away
A return to the NHL is not constantly on Suomela’s mind at the moment, although certainly if the top picks continue, a return to the league of the world’s best players could be possible.
Now he is focused on helping Lausanne succeed and go as far as possible during the spring. Suomela and his girlfriend have settled very well in Switzerland.
– The work doesn’t stop. The weather is good. The landscapes are incredible. There hasn’t been a day that I haven’t had a good time. Everything has made it easy for the players to be here, Suomela praises.
Switzerland is known as one of the most expensive countries in the world. Lausanne, on the other hand, is one of the most expensive cities in Europe. It surprised even the Finnish newcomer.
– Food for a few days was bought for me and my girlfriend. In Finland, it would take maybe a good hundred. Three hundred suddenly went here. I saw that oh, it’s a bit more expensive here. Of course, he had heard that it is more expensive than in Finland. You only realized that at the checkout, Suomela says.
Of course Suomela will have a bigger wallet than ever in the future. Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet wrote in Februarythat the Suomela would like to earn 350,000 francs (about 351,000 euros) in Switzerland, on top of which he would also get an apartment and a car from the club.