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New York Rangers: The European connections

By Rachel Nones

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA - JUNE 21: Kaapp Kakko reacts after being selected second overall by the New York Rangers during the first round of the 2019 NHL Draft at Rogers Arena on June 21, 2019 in Vancouver, Canada. (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images)
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA - JUNE 21: Kaapp Kakko reacts after being selected second overall by the New York Rangers during the first round of the 2019 NHL Draft at Rogers Arena on June 21, 2019 in Vancouver, Canada. (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images) /
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Lauri Pajuniemi poses after being selected by the New York Rangers (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
Lauri Pajuniemi poses after being selected by the New York Rangers (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

The Finns

Lauri Pajuniemi, a 21-year-old forward, played with current goaltender Alexandar Georgiev for TPS Turku’s junior team in the Finland. Georgiev is from Bulgaria originally, even though he has represented team Russia due to his dual-citizenship.

Pajuniemi also was a teammate of Kaapo Kakko in 2018-19  with TPS in the top Liiga, before Kakko was the second-overall pick by the Rangers at last year’s draft. Kakko dominated the Finnish league which led to a flood of interest.

The young Pajuniemi also looks up to Zibanejad, his praise towards the Swede was one of his first impressions after becoming more familiar with the franchise. The forward had some issues with confidence in his career in Finland but knowing Georgiev and Kakko and following their  performances since being teammates could bring Pajuniemi peace of mind.

Tarmo Reunanen #51 of the New York Rangers skates against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center. The Devils defeated the Rangers 4-2. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Tarmo Reunanen #51 of the New York Rangers skates against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center. The Devils defeated the Rangers 4-2. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Tarmo Reunanen, another Liiga player, is a 22-year-old offensive-minded blueliner. He was loaned to the Tutto club this season in the Mestis, a Finnish league. The Mestis is regarded as the second-highest league in Findland with Liiga being considered the most elite.

Leevi Aaltonen, another Finland native, is a 19-year-old winger currently playing regularly for KalPA in Liiga. He is a candidate to play for Finland at the 2021 WJC.

Valuable experience

Despite the pandemic, these players are all getting some skating in with their respective organizations. The good news is that they can continue refining their skills and working on their game all within a highly competitive division.

It is important not to rush the development of these players in their native leagues. Although the general European style of hockey differs from that of North America, these adjustments can be better handled when a player has cultivated enough confidence at his current level.

Another notable difference between European and North American hockey is the ice size. Europeans are used to playing on a larger ice surface but players from both continents are able to develop a well-rounded game regardless.

Despite which Europeans are recalled to the Rangers first, the organization has multiple options and the front office has done well setting up the franchise for the future. With one of the deeper prospect pools in the league, there are a lot of reasons to be excited for the future.

Must Read. Top 5 Rangers of the last decade. light

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