Rochester Americans head coach Mike Leone benched 19-year-old forward Konsta Helenius for several shifts during a December game in Cleveland, sending a message about playing the right way, according to a March 13 report. At that point, Helenius had scored 26 points in 28 games but was rotated out for not making strong enough plays with the puck.
The approach of tough love has been embraced by Helenius as he adapts to North American hockey. “I told [Leone] if I’m not playing well, I want you to tell me,” Helenius said. “I want you to be hard on me. I like when the coach is honest with you. If I do something wrong, tell me and I fix it.” Both Leone and Helenius joined Rochester at the start of last season, with Leone taking his first professional head coaching job and Helenius leaving Finland at age 18.
Leone said he often challenges his top prospects: “I ask Konsta all the time, ‘Do you want to be good or do you want to be great?'” He has applied this philosophy not only to Helenius but also to other Sabres prospects such as Noah Ostlund and Anton Wahlberg. According to Helenius, coaches have set a standard where players are expected to improve every day: “The standard is you come to the rink to try to get better, not just come here because it’s on the schedule,” he said.
Helenius’ adaptation has shown results both in Rochester and during his first nine NHL games with Buffalo, including a three-point performance against Nashville on Jan. 20. Leone praised details in Helenius’ game beyond scoring: faceoff execution, puck support in transition, and defensive habits that help maintain possession. “I’ve probably coached Helly harder than any other player that I’ve coached from my time going back to Green Bay… Everything has been away from the puck,” Leone said.
Assistant coach Vinny Prospal has also played an important role in developing Helenius’ skills, especially on special teams. Prospal’s “old school” methods include pushups for missed shots during practice; this discipline contributed to Helenius scoring seven power-play goals this season.
Reflecting on his progress since arriving from Finland’s Liiga at age 18, Helenius credited both coaches for helping him adjust: “It’s hard to come here… no family or friends… It was hard but once I got to know the players and coaches more, it was much easier.” Leone concluded: “This year… he’s willing to be coached and he likes being coached hard.”
In prospect news, Brodie Ziemer led Minnesota with 23 goals despite their early tournament exit while Gavin McCarthy posted career-high numbers as Boston University’s captain.
