Pori Ässien Lenny Hämeenaho, 19, has been on a high goal streak in the hockey SM league. The puck has already hit the goal 11 times in the early season.
If he didn’t miss the games due to the Young Lions World Cup tournament at the turn of the year, he would score well over 20 goals in the regular season at the current pace.
– I can’t say any specific reason (for the goal streak). It’s nice that the puck went into the goal in the first couple of games. I gained good confidence and I have good chain friends. You don’t need any big magic tricks for that, says Hämeenaho.
Hämeenaho gets to live the everyday life of a professional hockey player. Nowadays, he understands better than before how big decisions the family has made for him and his older brother I bet on terms.
The family had lived in Kajaani for more than 20 years, but the brothers’ dreams of becoming a professional hockey player first took the whole group to Ylivieska in 2018 and one year later to Pori.
Grandma also moved after, to both towns.
Kajaani to Pori is 427.6 kilometers as the crow flies.
– I really appreciate them. We cannot praise enough what they have done for us. I’m really grateful for that.
– It has been great that the family has supported me and I have received a lot of help from them.
Brother Veika, who plays in Ässien A-nuori, has also played a big role in the development. Mum Marja-Leena Komulainen says that Veikka already gave his brother a club as a baby.
Together, the boys developed different games from all kinds of games. The boys also used to sing the Maamme song before the start and after the end of each game.
– Lenni didn’t know words when she was little, but she hummed along. This has been a warm memory in my mind now, when I have been able to watch Lenni in Finland’s shirt, says Komulainen.
The two brothers played a lot together on outdoor ice and in other yard games.
– It was certainly a pretty basic competition. Neither of them let the other go easily. Both scored a hundred in the glass, whatever we played, Lenni Hämeenaho says.
The two played in the same offensive chain for a really long time. In yard games, however, one had to be in goal. There was competition in everything possible.
In addition to the outdoors, the family’s upstairs was also in heavy use.
– In yard games, one was in goal and the other shot, or we had wrestling matches. Upstairs we played sahhli quite a lot. We had such a room where we played. Yes, we come up with everything.
The family has settled in Pori, where five years have passed since this season. However, the twin brothers have moved into their own apartment.
– The fifth year is already going by, so yes, you’re going to have to worry about it, even if you don’t want to. You could say that he has already become a citizen of Pori.
Before moving to Pori, Hämeenaho knew that the people of Pori like to say things directly. According to Hämeenaho, that has been true.
– At least in the hockey team, you notice that if someone has something to say, it is said directly. Emotions are allowed to show quite a lot. I’ve noticed that at least in Aces games.
Hämeenaho is quieter, but she too has developed in her outspokenness.
– I’m sure there are still some boys like that from the north. Maybe not so dirty in that respect, but yes there has been some kind of development in that too.
Head coach of the Young Lions Lauri Mikkola knows that Hämeenaho, known for its versatility, lets its actions on the field speak for itself.
– Lenni is quieter by nature. Not a sharp mouth or a person who is always loud. He is a reflective guy, but he has the ability to stand out in tight spots and help the team, Mikkola sees.
The 185-centimeter youngster has also made strides inside the rink. He has been able to adapt quickly and effortlessly to a new level when jumping to different series.
Hämeenaho’s performances have convinced even the Leijona commander Jukka Jalonenwhich flashed on MTVthat the winger could play EHT games in the men’s national team already this season.
– It’s great to hear such words from the mouth of an experienced puck man. You don’t really have to think about them. That’s future stuff if that’s the case.
Next, Hämeenaho will focus on the under-20 World Cup tournament, where he wants to be a leading player just like in Ässi in the early season.
There are no great expectations for Finland this year. According to Hämeenaho, Nuoret Leijonat will challenge all teams, and the current team can beat any team.
– There are no specific goals yet, but of course Finland always wants to be the best when we go to play these crackers.
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