Konsta Helenius (born 11 May 2006) is a Finnish professional ice hockey player who is a forward for the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted 14th overall by the Sabres in the 2024 NHL entry draft.
| Konsta Helenius | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 Helenius in 2024 | |||
| Born |
11 May 2006 Ylöjärvi, Finland | ||
| Height | 181[1] cm (5 ft 11 in) | ||
| Weight | 86 kg (190 lb; 13 st 8 lb) | ||
| Position | Forward | ||
| Shoots | Right | ||
| NHL team Former teams |
Buffalo Sabres Jukurit | ||
| National team |
 Finland | ||
| NHL draft |
14th overall, 2024 Buffalo Sabres | ||
| Playing career | 2022–present | ||
Playing career
editOn 7 February 2024, while playing with Mikkelin Jukurit of the Liiga, Helenius became the second youngest player in Liiga history to record a hat trick, after Tuomo Ruutu, and fifth to do so before the age of 18.[2] He finished the season with 14 goals and 36 points in 51 games. Following the season, he was selected 14th overall in the 2024 NHL entry draft by the Buffalo Sabres, with whom he signed a 3-year entry-level contract on 8 July.[3]
Helenius spent the entire 2024–25 season playing with the Rochester Americans in the AHL. During the 2025–26 season Helenius recorded 30 points (9-G, 21-A) in 34 games with the Rochester Americans en route to being named to the 2026 AHL All-star Classic.[4] On 15 January 2026 Helenius was called up to the Buffalo Sabres later making his NHL debut on 19 January. On 20 January, in his second career NHL game, Helenius scored his first NHL goal, added two assists and was named the first star in a 5–3 win over the Nashville Predators.[5]
Helenius made his playoff debut as a black ace during the 2026 playoffs, scoring his first NHL playoff goal in his second playoff game, a 6–3 loss to the Montreal Canadiens on May 14.[6]
International play
edit| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
| Men's ice hockey | ||
| Representing Finland | ||
| World Championships | ||
 | 2026 Switzerland | |
| World Junior Championships | ||
 | 2025 Canada | |
At the 2024 World Juniors Helenius was the youngest player on the Finnish roster.[7] Helenius once again appeared in the World Juniors in 2025.[8]
Helenius scored the golden goal in overtime against Switzerland in the 2026 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship grand final.[9] Immediately after scoring, he knocked over two Swiss players in celebration. Helenius was subsequently awarded man of the match.
Personal life
editHelenius has a brother Kalle. He is two years older and the two of them played hockey together as well as soccer, badminton, and tennis.[7]
Career statistics
editRegular season and playoffs
edit| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 2022–23 | Tappara | U20 SM-sarja | 19 | 8 | 20 | 28 | 10 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2022–23 | Jukurit | Liiga | 33 | 3 | 8 | 11 | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2023–24 | Jukurit | Liiga | 51 | 14 | 22 | 36 | 10 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 4 | ||
| 2024–25 | Rochester Americans | AHL | 65 | 14 | 21 | 35 | 28 | 8 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 4 | ||
| 2025–26 | Rochester Americans | AHL | 63 | 21 | 42 | 63 | 22 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 | ||
| 2025–26 | Buffalo Sabres | NHL | 9 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | ||
| Liiga totals | 84 | 17 | 30 | 47 | 18 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 4 | ||||
| NHL totals | 9 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | ||||
International
edit
References
edit- ↑ https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/796075/konsta-helenius
- ↑ Miika, Arponen [@MiikaArponen] (7 February 2024). "Konsta Helenius on muuten #Liiga-historian toiseksi nuorin hattutemppuilija, ja viides alle 18-vuotias: 1. Tuomo Ruutu 17v 6kk 29pv 2. Konsta Helenius 17v 8kk 27pv 3. Patrik Laine 17v 9kk 4pv 4. Olli Jokinen 17v 9kk 28pv 5. Janne Virtanen 17v 10kk 24pv" [By the way, Konsta Helenius is the second youngest hat tricker in #Liiga history, and the fifth under 18 years old: 1. Tuomo Ruutu 17 years 6 months 29 days 2. Konsta Helenius 17 years 8 months 27 days 3. Patrik Laine 17 years 9 months 4 days 4. Olli Jokinen 17 years 9 months 28 days 5. Janne Virtanen 17 years 10 months 24 days] (Tweet) (in Finnish). Retrieved 7 February 2024 – via X (formerly Twitter).
- ↑ Punturi, Jacob (9 July 2024). "Sabres Sign First-Round Pick". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 10 July 2024.
- ↑ "TRIO OF AMERKS NAMED TO AMERICAN HOCKEY LEAGUE NORTH DIVISION ALL-STAR ROSTER". www.amerks.com. 15 January 2026. Retrieved 22 January 2026.
- ↑ Stanley, Robby (21 January 2026). "Buffalo Sabres - Nashville Predators - Jan 20, 2026". www.nhl.com. Retrieved 22 January 2026.
- ↑ "Sabres' Konsta Helenius: Nets first career playoff goal". CBS Sports. 15 May 2026. Retrieved 15 May 2026.
- 1 2 Engel, Heather (10 July 2024). "Sabres impressed by Helenius' competitive nature". NHL.com. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
- ↑ "HELENIUS, WAHLBERG ASSIGNED TO NATIONAL JUNIOR TEAMS FOR 2025 IIHF WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP". amerks.com. 23 December 2024. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
- ↑ "IIHF - Helenius scores the golden goal". IIHF International Ice Hockey Federation. Retrieved 31 May 2026.
External links
edit- Biographical information and career statistics from NHL.com, or Eliteprospects.com, or Eurohockey.com, or The Internet Hockey Database