USHL Tri-City Storm

Storm Finnish Forward Learning to Play in USHL

Published on February 29, 2012 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Tri-City Storm News Release


KEARNEY, Neb. - Young Finnish hockey star Heikki Liedes came to the United States with a dream of playing in the National Hockey League.

"Every night in this league there are a lot of scouts in the stands," said the first-year forward for the Tri-City Storm in the United States Hockey League.

"You've got to prove that you can be the guy who will fit in the NHL and try to get drafted. But, I don't take any pressure. I just try to play my game, and if it comes it comes."

Prior to moving to the U.S., Liedes scored 50 goals and 33 assists in his last three years playing at the club levels in Finland. His play was so impressive that he was quickly bumped up from the under-18 ranks to Hämeenlinnan Pallokerho's (HPKs) under-20 team in his last season in Finland.

After working his way through five different clubs in two years in his homeland, Liedes felt his best opportunity to get noticed by the NHL was to move to the U.S. and learn the North American style of play.

"I just wanted to learn both worlds," Liedes said. "In European style, it's usually a more fast game, and I just wanted to learn more of the American game - battling for the puck and stuff like that."

So, he flew more than 5,000 miles from Hämeenlinna, Finland, to join the Tri-City Storm in Kearney. Liedes choose the Storm because of his connection with former head coach Drew Schoneck.

"My family knew coach Drew," Liedes said. "He has sent a few players from Finland and from all over the world here to Tri City before."

Liedes has 10 goals and five assists for the Storm in 43 games. He said he's adjusted to the league well and hopes to impress enough scouts to be drafted in the NHL Entry Draft in Pittsburgh June 22-23.

"He plays pretty physical," Storm Head Coach Josh Hauge said. "He'll go to the dirty areas and finish hits, block shots. Then he's got a skill set that's high. That's what's probably so impressive about him. He's willing to do all that little stuff and still has the ability to make skilled plays."

Liedes said one factor that has really stood out about the USHL is the overall depth of talent in the league.

"You've got to really battle for your ice time, because if you're not executing the game plan there's always another guy who can take your spot," Liedes said. "In the States, there are guys who are a lot bigger and a lot stronger."

Despite being in the U.S. for the first time, Liedes said the cultural differences between Finland and the U.S. are miniscule. "Food is a little bit different, and the language, but those are probably the most crucial parts."

To his Storm teammates and coaches, Liedes is like any American teenager. He listens to his favorite rap artist Notorious B.I.G., his favorite movie is "Inception," and he eats Captain Crunch for breakfast.

"We treat him pretty much like he's just an American kid," Coach Hauge said. "Early on, we were probably a little more careful that he understands everything that you're saying, but after the first couple of weeks you realize he's just like a normal guy."

This is the second year of eligibility for the NHL Entry Draft for Liedes. He has not committed to a college but indicated that if he does attend school, he wants to major in business.

The Storm will host the Omaha Lancers Friday (7:05 p.m.), Cedar Rapids RoughRiders Saturday (7:05 p.m.), and are on the road in Omaha Sunday (5:05 p.m.). Classic Hits 98.9 FM will air all three games with the Viaero Wireless Pre-Game Shows starting at 6:45 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 4:45 p.m. on Sunday.

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United States Hockey League Stories from February 29, 2012


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