The definition of 'mid': the 1990s Finnish experience at World Juniors

According to Urban Dictionary, the word 'mid' is "used to describe something that is not good but not bad in the middle, hence the name Mid." And yes, I realize that using Urban Dictionary to look up a slang term outs me as a geriatric millennial. That being said, the term accurately describes Finland's experience at the World Junior Championships in the 1990s: four 4th place finishes, four 5th place finishes and one 6th place finish. The team won 30 games during the decade, losing 20 and tying eight.

In terms of individual accolades, they earned four all-tournament team positions, and won two individual awards: Janne Gronvall for best defenceman in 1993 and Olli Jokinen for best forward in 1998. 1998 is an important year, however, as that was Finland's breakout year, winning their second gold medal in tournament history. After posting a 3-0-1 record in the round robin (with wins over Canada and Sweden), they smashed upstart Kazakhstan 14-1 in the quarterfinals; the semi-finals and finals would be a different story. Finland held on to defeat Switzerland 2-1 in the semis, then beat Russia by the same score in the gold medal game, albeit in overtime with Niklas Hagman scoring the winning goal.

Three Finnish players finished top 10 in tournament scoring: Olli Jokinen (tied for 1st, 4-6-10), Eero Somervuori (third, 3-6-9) and Timo Vertala (tied for 4th, 4-4-8). As previously mentioned, Jokinen was named best forward and to the all-star team, along with Somervuori. It would be 16 years until Finland would win its third goal medal, lead in 2016 by the trio of Jesse Puljujarvi, Sebastien Aho, and Patrik Laine.

671 - Marko Kiprusoff

A defenceman, Kiprusoff scored two goals and four points at the 1992 World Juniors, his only appearance in the tournament. He represented Finland many times at the senior level, winning three silver medals (1994, 1998, 2001) and one gold medal (1995) in seven World Championship appearances, and was part of the 1996 World Cup team. With the 1994 Finnish Olympic team Kiprusoff won bronze, and led the tournament in points by a defenceman, with six. 

Drafted 70th overall by Montreal in 1994, he played one season with the Habs in 1995-96, recording four assists in 24 games. He returned to the NHL in 2001-02 with the New York Islanders, recording six assists in 27 games. In between and around these times Kiprusoff became a domestic league legend in Finland, winning four Liiga championships, earning four all-star team selections and winning best defenceman. The older brother of Flames’ icon Miikka Kiprusoff, Marko was elected to the Finnish Hockey Hall of Fame in 2012.

672 - Janne Gronvall

A defenceman, Gronvall played in three consecutive World Juniors from 1991 to 1993, scoring three goals and six points. He was named a tournament all-star in 1992, and best defenceman in 1993 when he captained Team Finland. Gronvall represented his country only once at the senior level, winning a silver medal at the 2001 World Championships. 

He was drafted 101st overall by Toronto in 1992, but never played in the NHL. Gronvall spent two seasons with St. John’s in the AHL, playing in the all-star game each season. From 1996 to 2009 he played for Tappara in Finland, save two seasons in Sweden.

673 - Juha Ylonen

A forward, Ylonen played in the 1991 and 1992 World Junior tournaments, scoring two goals and eight points in 13 games. He represented Finland many times at the senior level, including two Olympics (1998, winning bronze, and 2002) as well as the 1996 World Cup. Ylonen played in five World Championships, winning gold in 1995 and silver in 2001, where he led the tournament in scoring with 14 points.

Drafted 91st overall by Winning in 1991, Ylonen played six NHL seasons with three teams (Phoenix, Tampa Bay and Ottawa), scoring 26 goals and 102 points in 341 games. He was elected to the Finnish Hockey Hall of Fame in 2009.

674 - Sami Kapanen

A forward, Kapanen appeared in two WJC tournaments, scoring two goals and 9 points in 14 games. He became a mainstay of Finnish senior international teams in the 1990s and 2000s, playing in three Olympics (winning bronze medals in 1994 and 1998), seven World Championships (winning one gold and three silver) and the 1996 World Cup. At the 2001 Worlds tournament Kapanen led the tournament in goals with seven, and was named best forward and a tournament all-star. He was elected to the Finnish Hockey Hall of Fame in 2014.

Drafted 87th overall by Hartford in 1995, he played 12 NHL seasons split between Hartford/Carolina and Philadelphia. Kapanen played in 831 games, scoring 189 goals and 458 points. His son Kasperi, and nephew Oliver, both currently play in the NHL.

675 - Marko Tuomainen

A forward, Tuomainen scored one goal and five points at the 1992 World Junior tournament. He played on the Finnish World Championship team from 1998 to 2000, winning two silver medals.

Tuomainen was drafted 205th overall by Edmonton in 1992 after his freshman year at Clarkson University. He played three more seasons with the Golden Knights before making his NHL debut in 1994. Tuomainen tallied four NHL seasons and 79 games from 1994 to 2002, scoring nine goals and 18 points. During this time he played extensively in the AHL, appearing in the 1996 and 2001 AHL all-star games.

From 1997 to 1999 Tuomainen returned to Finland, and capped over his career from 2002 to 2012 with another decade of pro hockey in three countries.

676 - Jarkko Varvio

A forward, Varvio starred at the 1991 and 1992 World Junior Championships, scoring 13 goals and 19 points across the two tournaments. In 1992 he captained Team Finland, and led the tournament with eight goals in seven games. Varvio’s excellent play continued at the 1992 World Championships, where he scored nine goals and 10 points, leading the tournament in goals and points and was named a tournament all-star as Finland captured the silver medal. He also played in the 1993 and 1997 World Championships.

Drafted 34th overall by Minnesota in 1992, Varvio played in only 13 games over two NHL seasons with Dallas, scoring three goals and seven points. He returned to Europe in 1995, and played another decade of pro hockey in across four different countries.

677 - Tuomas Gronman

A defenceman, Gronman was a veteran of three World Junior tournaments from 1992 to 1994, scoring two goals and eight points in 21 games. His lone senior level tournament representing Finland came at the 1998 Olympics, where he was part of the bronze medal winning squad.

Drafted 29th overall by Quebec in 1992, Gronman played part of his draft year with Tacoma in WHL before returning to Finland. He played 38 NHL games with Pittsburgh and Chicago between 1996 and 1998, scoring one goal and four points. From 1999 to 2003 he played pro hockey back in Finland.