Roni Hirvonen Feels 'More Ready' to Play in Maple Leafs Organization After Final Year in Finland

The 21-year-old was only in Toronto for five weeks, though he says he learned a lot in that short time.

Just normal things. Like how we do stuff and I think that helped me a lot to come here and start the season here. Get to know everyone, training on the ice," Hirvonen said.

"I feel that I'm more ready to come here now."

This is Hirvonen's first time at Maple Leafs development camp and although he might be one of the older players in the group, he's still looking to learn as much as he can in the seven days which camp runs.

"It's been fun to see all the staff and coaches and players again here," Hirvonen said. "Having some fun on the ice and improving.

"We get to know each other, we can have better chemistry on the ice, and even more fun, better jokes, and more competition."

Hirvonen had a strong final year with HIFK in the Finnish Elite League, scoring 15 goals and 13 assists in 57 games. It might not seem like the point total that catches eyeballs, but the center says he's gotten "a lot more mature, stronger, and faster."

The 21-year-old also believes his shot has improved.

"I'm a playmaker," he said. "I don't really have that big of weaknesses and I can play on every situation on the ice, and I think that's my biggest thing."

"I think he's made significant progress," says Maple Leafs assistant GM, Dr. Hayley Wickenheiser. "You know, really, the credit goes to Roni. He's been very open to the ideas that we've thrown at him from development staff. 

"(We've) changed a little bit about his posture, his stick, his approach to the game. He's a more confident guy, he's more powerful and explosive. He had a very long season last year where they played almost 11 months, so he's catching up off the ice in terms of his conditioning and training, which will be the biggest thing for Roni. Because he's a competitor, he's got a good head on him, and sees the ice very well."

Hirvonen will spend some more time in Finland before training camp begins in September. The 21-year-old wants to work on his skating more, "to add more crossovers to my game and get shiftier."

But he also hopes to do his favorite hobby, fishing, a few more times.

"In Finland, about 10KG Pike," Hirvonen said, looking back at the biggest fish he's caught. "When I was here last summer, I think the Salmon I caught was probably the same size."

What does he like most about fishing?

"When you finally get that fish that you are trying to caught, and it's just so good of a feeling when you have a fish on the hook."

Coming to a new country — where they might not speak your first language — can be difficult, especially for a hockey player who's placed in a dressing room filled with players you might not know.

For Hirvonen, though, it was a bit easier as he already had a good friend in Toronto.

Topi Niemela.

"I've known him since I was a kid," Hirvonen said. "We're really good friends. It's so nice to have him here with me.

"I think it's easier to come into a room when my English isn't that good that I could speak as good as I can speak Finnish, so it's nice to speak some Finnish in between too."

Aside from everything else, though, the 21-year-old is just excited to finally come and play hockey in Toronto.

"I'm most looking forward to the games. Really excited to start next season here, first year for me outside Finland, and yeah, I'm just so, so excited and honored to get to play here."

Related

Maple Leafs Prospect Fraser Minten Wants to Be Leader and 'Dominate the WHL' Next Season

Maple Leafs Announce Hiring of John Gruden as New Head Coach of the Marlies

Reading the Tre Leafs: GM's Free Agent Pickups add 'Snot', Personality and Offense from Defense