Finnish prospect Jesse Nurmi is coming to OHL to acclimate to North American style of hockey. To take the next step in his hockey career, 19-year-old Finn Jesse Nurmi is taking a big step, coming over to North America for the 2024-25 season. Nurmi, the Islanders’ 2023 fourth-round pick (113th overall), signed with the OHL’s London Knights over the summer to acclimate to the speed and size of the North American game.
Nurmi was drawn to the Knights championship pedigree and reputation as a first-class junior organization, as London is the reigning OHL champions and were finalists the year prior. They’ve produced plenty of top talent, including Bo Horvat and fellow Isles prospect Isaiah George.
“I think that's best place in junior hockey in the world,” Nurmi said. “[You] just [look at] how many guys they are [sending] to the NHL from there and it’s just a great organization.”
Nurmi spent the past three seasons with KooKoo, shuttling between Liiga, Finland’s top league, and U20 SM-sarja, the top junior league. Injuries limited Nurmi to just 19 Liiga and six junior games last season, so he’s focused on staying healthy this year and also taking a run at Finland’s World Juniors team.
“I had an injury last year and I was off like four months, so last year was hard for me mentally,” Nurmi said. “This year I'm going to try to be healthy and just try to play in World Juniors.”
Nurmi's First Day at Islanders Training Camp
The 5’11, 170 lbs. winger missed Rookie Camp and the first two days of Training Camp with an undisclosed issue, but was back on the ice for Saturday’s session. It was a hard skate – as all three days have been – but Head Coach Patrick Roy was impressed by Nurmi’s drive to push through.
“I was very happy with him,” Roy said. “I was surprised to see the skills that he had… He was pretty excited to be on the ice also, but he looked good out there. Really good. I was pleased with his speed and skills.”
Roy said there were plenty of benefits to Nurmi playing juniors, citing his experience with the Russian players he coached with the Quebec Remparts, including a 10-game stint with Nikita Kucherov, where the two communicated via translation apps on Kucherov’s phone.
“I think it’ll be good for him, confidence wise, learning how to play smaller ice, learning the language, learning the way to play the game,” Roy said. “There's a lot of a lot to learn for him and I think as a 20-year-old, he'll be ready to either play with us or with the farm team.”
Saturday was step one in that journey for Nurmi, who is at an Islanders camp for the first time. It wasn’t an easy welcome back, but coming to North America is a welcome change.
“It was kind of hard for the first day after one week out of the ice,” Nurmi said. “But it felt pretty good just going ice with the guys.”
Nurmi's Journey to the NHL
Nurmi’s decision to play in the OHL is a strategic one. He believes that playing in a junior league will help him acclimate to the North American style of hockey. This will provide him with an opportunity to develop his skills in a more challenging environment and improve his chances of making the NHL.
The OHL is known for its fast-paced and physical style of play. This is a stark contrast to the more technical and tactical approach of European leagues. By playing in the OHL, Nurmi will be able to learn how to play a more physical game and adapt to the smaller ice surface. He will also get the chance to play against some of the best young players in North America.
Acclimating to a New Style of Hockey
Playing in the OHL will also allow Nurmi to improve his English and learn more about North American culture. This is important for any player who wants to make it to the NHL. The NHL is a very demanding league, both on and off the ice. Players need to be able to communicate effectively with their coaches, teammates, and the media. They also need to be able to adjust to a new lifestyle and culture.
Nurmi’s decision to play in the OHL is a smart one. It gives him the best chance to develop his skills and prepare for the NHL. He is a talented player with a lot of potential. With hard work and dedication, he has the potential to be a star in the NHL.
The Future for Nurmi
The future is bright for Nurmi, and he has all the potential to make a name for himself in the NHL. He has the skill, the drive, and the dedication to succeed. With his commitment to developing his game, Nurmi is poised to make a strong impression in the OHL and ultimately, the NHL.
More to Come
Nurmi's journey is just beginning. The OHL will be a tough challenge, but he is up for it. We can expect to see him make significant strides in his development over the coming season. With his talent, determination, and work ethic, he is destined to become a force to be reckoned with in the world of hockey.
