Latest news with #KonstaHelenius
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Helenius Not Participating At WJSS, Sabres Appear Twice On Amazon Prime
Buffalo Sabres prospect Konsta Helenius had an excellent showing in his second appearance for Finland at the IIHF World Junior Championships, which allowed the 19-year-old center to sit out the 2025 World Junior Summer Showcase in Minneapolis beginning on Friday. Helenius had six assists in seven games last January and will likely center Finland's top line at the 2026 WJC in Minnesota next December.
New York Times
04-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
What we saw and heard from Sabres prospects at development camp
BUFFALO, N.Y. — Three years ago, the Sabres had Jack Quinn, JJ Peterka, Owen Power, Mattias Samuelsson and Peyton Krebs at development camp. A few months later, all five of those players were on the NHL roster playing meaningful roles. In 2025, development camp had a much different feel for the Sabres. The roster had eight forwards, 12 defensemen and five goalies. Nobody who played for the Rochester Americans last season, including 2024 first-round pick Konsta Helenius, was at camp. Typically, the Sabres have done a three-on-three tournament with three different teams. This time around, it was just two teams scrimmaging. This is the second straight year most of Buffalo's top prospects have been kept home for the development camp. For a team that is heavily invested in drafting and developing its own talent, this seems like a development opportunity worth taking advantage of. Advertisement 'I don't know if it's a philosophy change,' GM Kevyn Adams said. 'A lot of the guys who were in Rochester, it's a taxing year. The goal at this camp is less about being on the ice and more about getting familiar with the organization and who's who and what does everybody do and what does it mean to be a Sabre. So a lot of the guys that maybe in other years would have been here, (Konsta) Helenius is the perfect example. He's not new to the organization now because he's been here and he's been in Rochester. That's part of it. I think sometimes, especially with Rochester's length of the season, you want to make sure they get the rest and then get right into their training and don't be disruptive in terms of some of the thoughts if you're bringing guys over. It's a smaller group this year but the picks this year and then last year other than Konsta. So it's not so much philosophical. Just more so how it played out.' This year was the 10th anniversary of the Sabres drawing a near sellout crowd at KeyBank Center for Jack Eichel's development camp. The crowd at the Harborcenter on Thursday morning was sparse by comparison. This camp has always been more of an orientation for new prospects than it is an evaluation of players who have been in the system. But the excitement and competition that were present in years past weren't the same with the smaller roster. So many of the Sabres' top prospects are playing in Rochester, including first-rounders Isak Rosen, Noah Ostlund and Helenius. The Amerks' season didn't end until late May, so they played a lot of hockey this year. But new strength coach Brian Gallivan was in town this week, putting the prospects through intense off-ice training. Sabres first-round pick Radim Mrtka was laughing at the end of the week because he estimated 'half the guys were puking' on testing day. The Sabres have drafted a lot of players over the last few years who need to get stronger and could have benefited from some face time with Gallivan and his staff. This could have served as a mid-summer accountability check. Advertisement 'They can do Zoom calls,' Adams said. 'They're on programs, and (Gallivan) has already taken care of that. It's not as critical. But it is something we did talk about.' Ultimately, development comes down to a lot more than one week in July. The absence of the top prospects just left more room for others to stand out. Here's what we saw and heard from Buffalo's prospects this week. 1. 2022 sixth-round pick Jake Richard seems to be an annual standout at development camp. This summer was no different. During the three-on-three scrimmage, Richard scored a hat trick and then added a shootout goal to top it off. Goals in a summer scrimmage don't mean much, but it was notable that Richard, one of the older players at camp, decided to take charge of the scrimmage in front of the big club's decision makers. 'That's not really something I'm thinking about during the game, it was just the competitive spirit in me that wanted to win a hockey game,' Richard said. 'Everyone on the bench was like, 'We're not losing this game.'' Richard took a huge step at UConn this season. He scored 15 goals and had 28 assists in 34 games. His shot has always stood out, but he's added a strong netfront component to his game as well. Richard came up to Buffalo earlier this summer and has been getting in extra work with Sabres skating coach Mike Ansell. Richard has been staying with Sabres draft pick Gavin McCarthy, who was his junior teammate in the USHL. Skating has been Richard's biggest focus for the last few years. The Sabres had some talks with Richard about turning pro this spring, but he wanted to go back to school to try to win with the core group UConn is bringing back. He can become a free agent if not signed by next August. Amerks coach Michael Leone coached Richard a few times in international tournaments and said, 'The transformation he made this season was incredible.' Leone noted that the bigger the game, the better Richard seemed to play in a demanding Hockey East season. Advertisement 'His natural instincts, especially around the net, his ability to find space,' Leone said. 'He has a really good stick in tight areas. His ability to get pucks and tip pucks, too. You don't see that a lot with younger kids, the ability to play in traffic and tip pucks. All things you guys see at the next level are really important. How many goals are scored around the net area? He has a lot of good tools.' 2. Mrtka looked the part of a steady and smooth defenseman throughout the week. It's always tough to judge defensemen in a three-on-three setting, especially when most of the top forward prospects weren't in town. But what stood out is the way Mrtka carries himself on and off the ice. He's confident and mature, two qualities that Sabres assistant general manager Jerry Forton pointed out on draft weekend. 3. The Sabres had five goalies at camp, including Scott Ratzlaff and Topias Leinonen, who both signed their entry-level contracts this spring. The NHL signing of Alex Lyon means there's a chance Devon Levi spends part or most of the season in Rochester. That could result in one or both of Ratzlaff and Leinonen spending time in the ECHL this season as a development tool. Ratzlaff is probably the more refined of those two goalies at this stage in his career. The Sabres made a bet on the size and mobility of Leinonen. He just needs to become more consistent technically, and goalie development coach Seamus Kotyk said he saw him take steps in that direction this season. Sabres fourth-round pick Samuel Meloche has the same offseason goalie coach as Levi, and it's noticeable in the way both goalies move around the crease. Meloche's quickness is his best trait. Kotyk noted Meloche could end up playing college hockey at some point, but he's still 17, so it might be another year. 4. Third-round pick David Bedkowski was unable to take part in any of the team practices this week because of an illness. He came down with what he thinks was strep throat while flying back from the NHL Draft. Meanwhile, 2023 second-round pick Max Strbak was not at development camp because of a personal matter. 5. There are always sneaky standouts at these camps, and 2025 fifth-rounder Ashton Schultz was one this week. The Chicago Steel forward from Minnesota is only 5-foot-11, but his hockey sense and competitiveness make him a real pest around the net. On one shift early in the scrimmage, Schultz had four shot attempts from right around the crease. If he can build the strength to match his mentality, Schultz could have a future. He said he plans to play one more year in the USHL before going to North Dakota. Advertisement 6. The Sabres did not extend a qualifying offer to 2021 second-round pick Aleksandr Kisakov. That seems to signal the end of the road for Kisakov with the organization. He played 13 games for the Amerks last season after playing 32 and 48 games in the two years prior. The Sabres also no longer hold the rights to 2021 third-round pick Stiven Sardarian, who was a point-per-game player at Michigan Tech last season. According to PuckPedia, Sardarian is no longer a college student, so it's unclear what his playing future looks like. (Photo of Radim Mrtka: Matt Winkelmeyer / Getty Images)
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Helenius Shows Promise In First Season With Rochester
The Buffalo Sabres were fortunate at the 2024 NHL Draft in Las Vegas after trading down three slots with the San Jose Sharks the day before the draft to garner an extra second-round pick. At #11, the Sharks selected London defenseman Sam Dickinson, who had a 91-point season with the OHL Knights, and Minnesota chose blueliner Zeev Buium, who won gold with Team USA at the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championships. Both are excellent prospects, but are also left-handed defensemen, which the Sabres have in ample quantity. At #14, the Sabres selected Finnish center Konsta Helenius, who many draft analysts labeled as the most pro-ready forward next to top pick Macklin Celebrini after playing last season in the Finnish SM-Liiga, and for Finland at the Under-18's, World Junior Championships and World Championships. The 19-year-old chose to come and play in the American Hockey League and finished with 35 points (14 goals, 21 assists) in 65 games with Rochester, but stepped up his level of performance in the Calder Cup Playoffs, with six points (3 goals, 3 assists) in eight playoff games. Although it would be unwise to rush Helenius to the NHL, it is encouraging that he was able to adjust to the North American game so quickly. Other Sabres Stories Is Peterka In Prime Position For Big Payday? Sabres Summer Dilemmas - Bowen Byram Sabres Facing An Off-Season Of Change Here is an update on other players selected in 2024: Adam Kleber – D – 42nd overall The Minnesota native in his freshman season with Minnesota-Duluth has five points (2 goals, 3 assists) in 33 games and was part of Team USA's gold medal-winning squad at the WJC in Ottawa. A Konsta Helenius shorty to finish off the night😮💨@AmerksHockey | #LAVvsROC | #CalderCup — American Hockey League (@TheAHL) May 24, 2025 Brodie Ziemer – RW – 71st overall A product of the US National Development Program, Ziemer made his mark at the World Juniors in Ottawa, scoring seven points (3 goals, 4 assists) in seven games for the victorious US squad. As a freshman at the University of Minnesota impressed with 12 goals in 38 games, but the 19-year-old winger's NCAA season ended abruptly, as the Golden Gophers lost 5-4 in overtime to UMass at the NCAA regional in Fargo, ND. Luke Osburn – D – 108th overall The 6'1', 183 lb. blueliner is committed to play for the University of Wisconsin next season and is playing his second season for the Youngstown Phantoms. In 55 games, the 18-year-old blueliner had 41 points (10 goals, 31 assists) and was named the USHL's Defenseman of the Year. Follow Michael on X, Instagram, and Bluesky @MikeInBuffalo
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Rochester Americans Defeat Syracuse Crunch, Advance To North Division Finals
The Rochester Americans have defeated the Syracuse Crunch in three games and become the first team to advance to the Division Finals. The Americans wrapped up on the best-of-five series with a 4-0 victory on Thursday May. 1. Defenseman Kale Clague led the team offensively with three goals and five points in the series. Konsta Helenius and Jiri Kulich each registered a goal an three points, while Mason Jobst and Brendan Warren each scored two goals. Devon Levi has been exceptional for Rochester, he is currently on a 156 minute and 31 second shutout streak. He finishes the series with a 3-0 record, two shutouts and a .978 SP, stopping 90 of 92 shots he faced. THE AMERKS DANCE AND ADVANCE🕺@AmerksHockey | #CalderCup — American Hockey League (@TheAHL) May 2, 2025 Rochester ranked seventh in the league in both goals for and against his season. The Americans will enjoy some lengthy time off before taking on the winner of the Laval Rocket and Cleveland Monsters series. Keep an eye on The Hockey News' Buffalo Sabres team site for more prospect evaluation. Make sure you bookmark The Hockey News' AHL Page for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns and so much more. Make sure you bookmark The Hockey News' AHL Page for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns and so much more.
Yahoo
24-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Sabres Prospect Update – 2024 Draftees
Here is a quick update on Buffalo Sabres prospects selected in 2024: Konsta Helenius – C – 14th overall The Sabres were fortunate to have Helenius fall to them at 14th overall after many draft analysts labeled him nearly pro-ready after he played last season in the Finnish SM-Liiga and for Finland at the Under-18, World Junior, and World Championships. The 18-year-old center has adjusted well to his first season in North America, scoring 23 points (8 goals, 15 assists) in 45 games as a rookie. At the 2025 World Junior in January, he posted six assists in seven games. Konsta Helenius scores the shootout winner and Devon Levi makes 30 saves for his fifth shutout of the year as Rochester defeats Toronto 1-0. — Kris Baker (@SabresProspects) February 23, 2025 Adam Kleber – D – 42nd overall A big right-handed blueliner, the 6'5', 209 lb. Kleber played two seasons in the USHL before being selected by the Sabres in the second round. The Minnesota native in his freshman season with Minnesota-Duluth has four points (2 goals, 2 assists) in 27 games, and was part of Team USA's gold medal-winning squad at the WJC in Ottawa. Brodie Ziemer – RW – 71st overall A product of the US National Development Program, Ziemer as a freshman at the University of Minnesota impressed with 11 goals in 32 games, but the 19-year-old winger made his mark at the World Juniors in Ottawa, scoring seven points (3 goals, 4 assists) in seven games for the victorious US squad. Brodie Ziemer caps it off with the empty-netter to finish the night with 2+2. That's his first four-point game in the NCAA and fourth multi-point game of the season. No. 4 Minnesota defeats No. 17 Wisconsin 5-2. — Kris Baker (@SabresProspects) February 1, 2025 Luke Osburn – D – 108th overall Osburn was the second of four Sabres defensive draft picks in 2024. The 6'1', 183 lb. blueliner is committed to play for the University of Wisconsin next season and is playing his second season for Youngstown of the USHL. In 38 games, the 18-year-old blueliner has 27 points (5 goals, 22 assists). Luke Osburn (13) rotates down and buries his third goal of the season with 2:33 remaining as Youngstown begins its late charge to earn a 6-5 shootout win over Muskegon. Osburn also had two helpers in the victory for his first three-point game of the year and third of his USHL… — Kris Baker (@SabresProspects) December 29, 2024 Follow Michael on X, Instagram, and Bluesky @MikeInBuffalo
