Program Overview

2023 Finland Lions Cup International Hockey Tour 
July 28 - August 7, 2023 
Vierumaki Center
Helsinki, Finland

A 11-day European Development Camp and International Hockey Tournament for Bantam & Midget AAA/AA players in Helsinki, Finland.

European Development Camp - July 28 - August 7, 2023:
The EDC is a 6-day elite, European-style development camp from Saturday, July 29 - Thursday, August 5 that will take place in the Vierumaki Olympic Training Center (home of the Finish Olympic Hockey Team). The team will participate in two (2), 75-minute on-ice sessions each day along with a 90-minute off-ice dryland training session. All on-ice training sessions will be run by the USJDP Selects Coaching staff along with special European professional coach guests.

Finland Lions Cup - August 4-6, 2023:
Run by the Espoo Blues Hockey Club, the Finland Lions Cup will take place in rinks in and around the Helsinki City Centre and will feature teams from Finland, Sweden, Russia, Canada and more. Beginning on Friday, August 4 with the Opening Ceremonies, the tournament will feature 4 round-robin stye games on Friday and Saturday, commencing with a 2-game playoff and Awards Ceremony on Sunday, August 6. Click here for the tournament website.

Program Description

The USJDP Selects will be traveling to Helsinki, Finland to participate in a 5-day European Training Camp, featuring 2.5 hours on-ice per day with European Professional coaches, followed by the 3-day Finland Lions Cup, featuring Junior teams from Sweden, Finland, Russia, Canada and more.

Selection Process:
All interested players must submit the USJDP Selects Hockey Tour Application Form by clicking the link in teh upper right corner fo this page. Upon receipt of the completed application form, a USJDP staff member will contact each players’ coach for an in-depth player recommendation and evaluation. After speaking with each coach, USJDP staff will make a determination about each player and notify you of our decision within 3-4 weeks of submitting your application. Acceptance on any of the teams will be based equally on character references and player ability. 
 

Program Detail

Age Groups:
The Selects will be taking a 2006-2008 birth year team of 20 players max (12 FW, 6 D, and 2 Goaltenders) to Finland. To be eligible for the team, ALL players must have competed at the AA, AAA or Junior A/B level during the 2022-23 season to be eligible.
 
Tour Directors/Coaching Staff:
Zac Desjardins, USJDP Director of Operations & current professional Coach of the Rapid City Rush, ECHL, will lead the tour, and be accompanied by a second full-time coach to be announced a later date.