When I go too hard, you pull me to the back.
But you suddenly realize / that you can’t cage a wild animal.
That’s how the one known under the stage name Ramses II sings by Rami Shikeben in the hit Wild Animal.
The song fits this spring’s Lions team in many ways.
The fans of the Oulu Kärppie recently twisted the rant into the so-called arttuhyry form: “not Arttu Hyryä can be locked in a cage.” To everyone’s surprise, Hyry rose to the lion’s jersey after a great season.
So did the team’s youngest player, who turns 18 today Konsta Helenius.
Helenius was immediately locked in a cage at the World Championships. A helmet with a cross was slapped on his head. That is, in hockey parlance, a cage. Underage players have to use it in the World Cup.
In the SM league, Helenius has been able to cool the visor on his helmet.
Helenius came of age on Saturday and got out of his second cage. The young man stepped off the ice of the training hall of the Prague arena with a big smile.
Happy Birthday!
– Thank you!
How was it celebrated on the ice?
– Songs for it, nothing else.
You got the cage off your head, how does that feel?
– Yes, it feels nice. The cage was a bit ahead, so now you can get back to this, which has taken a year and a half. It’s much nicer this.
You also got out of the cage playfully. Straight to the first line of the Lions.
– That feels good too. Two awesome dudes (Mikael Granlund and Valtteri Puustinen) next to it, so what better way to let go like that.
Quite a birthday present.
– Yes, quite a nice present this time.
One of the best?
– It’s going to be a time of chaos.
What have been the other best gifts in the past?
– I do not know. Some rackets or some plaything.
Have any other gifts or congratulations arrived here yet?
– Many congratulations have come from friends and others. But no gifts yet.
What kind of expectations are there now that tomorrow you will play as the center of the first line of the Lions?
– I expect a fast-paced game. I don’t really know British players. But they certainly know how to play and fight properly.
Helenius was not in the playing lineup for Friday’s World Cup opener. He watched the match between the Lions and the Czech Republic from the side of the stands.
– It’s nice when there’s noise in the hall. It was great to watch the game.
Helenius is a familiar player to those who follow the Norwegian Hockey League, but many Leijoni fans may see him on the ice for the first time. Helenius was asked to introduce himself to those who have not yet followed his playing.
– Smart player, good skater. Makes good decisions with the puck. Winning player.
What about Helenius’s personality, how does he himself describe it?
– Pretty loud and wild. If you go hunting with friends, if you go hunting in a good way, not in a bad way, then nothing else will fly. And good ideas always come.
Helenius’ roommate at the World Championships is from the hero section Pekka Jormakkaalso known as the wild brother gold of a hunch.
– It has gone well. No major problems. It might be a bit messy.
Well, couldn’t Jormakka clean for your birthday?
– I bet he won’t agree to that.
Helenius’ parents will arrive in Prague tomorrow to watch their son’s World Cup debut.
– A slightly different Mother’s Day. Parents in the stands. Maybe it suits them too.
Expect a memorable game for both the boy and the parents. Mother of Helenius Mayju has spoken publicly about his battle with a serious illness. In an interview with Helsingin Sanomat she told about her breast cancer.
– My mother has done a lot for me to be able to do it. There has always been food on the table. Big thanks to mom and dad that I’m at this point right now.
Helenius hasn’t had time to plan a Mother’s Day gift yet.
– We’ll look at it tomorrow.
Helenius said that there might be a little butterflies in the stomach on Sunday when the puck falls on the ice.
– But I’ve been told that the game doesn’t get better by getting excited. Just go there and show your best.
The Ice Hockey World Cup will be played in the Czech Republic from 10 to 26. May. follows the events in the application, on Urheilu’s website, on the Sports screen and on Urheiluradio. The Lions will face Britain in their next match on Sunday, May 12. at 1:20 p.m.