Benjamin Rautiainen decided the World Cup semi-final for Nuori Leijon with his clever shot. The youngster has made a strong result in Tappara’s ranks as well.
The U20 Men’s Ice Hockey World Championship will be held in Ottawa, Canada from December 26, 2024 to January 5, 2025.
Benjamin Rautiainen ended up in an exceptional solution in the World Cup semi-final. When everyone in the hall was waiting for the pass, the Tappara breeder decided to shoot into the left corner.
Rautiainen, who flashed similar virtuosic solutions even in Tappara, emerged as the hero of the semi-final.
– A lot of cunning and skill was needed. Nicely covered that shot. It was an exceptional virtuoso solution, Tappara’s coach Juha Juujärvi says to Urheilu.
Thankful for the responsibility and freedoms
Rautiainen has surprised many SM League Followers in a phenomenal way. The 19-year-old attacker played only three matches in the main league last season, but this season he has broken into the Tappara team in a huge way.
The youngster has scored seven goals and 11 assists in 32 matches. Such virtuosic solutions as the winning goal in the Swedish semi-final have also been seen in Tappara.
– Rikard Grönborgin during this time, the young players have been given great space and freedom to play with their own strengths. Rautiainen has thanked for it.
According to Juujärvi, Rautiainen has been able to fulfill his obligations in the game without the puck, but also dared to bring out his own strengths on the offensive end.
– He is not surviving or hoping that something will happen, but reads the rhythm of the game and makes a good result with his own skills.
Tappara has agreed to Rautiainen
Many have wondered how Rautiainen has been able to break through quickly in a team like Tappara. However, Juujärvi sees that Tappara’s way of playing and the environment have helped the youngster.
– An open-minded, brave and active way of playing suits him.
– Another thing is the atmosphere. His skills have been supported all the time and encouraged, as long as certain boundary conditions are met.
The teammates have taken care of the boundary conditions and obligations.
– He has a certain slyness and a twinkle in the corner of his eye. Yes, the players who are experienced all the time make sure that those jobs are also done. There is not only a twinkle in the corner of the eye, but the right kind of relaxed mood.
Juujärvi can see that hockey is fun for Rautiainen. He takes the sport seriously, but not too seriously. The young man has also been able to handle adversity well.
– A player of his style is taken hard on the ice. He’s not mad about it either, which is an important mental factor. He is strong enough to compete and fight.
Not stuck to formulas
The spiritual side has also been seen in the World Youth Championships. Even though Rautiainen has played in the second position and received less responsibility, it has not been reflected in his body language.
– I think it’s the beauty of the whole team that they have the experience of playing winning games, but also that relaxed and positive courage to just let go and throw yourself into the situation.
– It’s cooperative hockey, but by no means rigid.
The decider also in the final?
According to Juujärvi, Rautiainen’s development targets for the international level are on the physical side in fighting strength and skating speed. Rautiainen is also excellent at taking possession of pucks and understands the defensive game well, but there is still room for improvement in terms of the balance of the game.
– If you think about attacking skills, then his goal was based on cunning. Working on a raw good shot is still required a lot in everyday life, so that when the opportunity comes, the shot starts directly from the pass. That being said, let’s hope we see it in the final.
Finland will play in the World Youth Championship final on the night between Sunday and Monday, starting at 2:30. follows the events here.