ROCHESTER – Buffalo Sabres prospect Konsta Helenius has bounced back from a 13-game goal drought in emphatic fashion, recording his first hat trick for the Americans before scoring arguably the most dynamic goal of his rookie season.
To wit: in Friday’s 4-2 loss, the slick center unleashed a hard backhander after cutting to the slot from the right circle – “Made a little dangle,” he said – with Laval Rocket defenseman William Trudeau hectoring him and two opponents behind him.
“That’s a goal that a first-rounder scores, not a seventh-rounder like myself,” joked Amerks assistant coach Nathan Paetsch, the 202nd overall pick by the Sabres in 2003. “It’s amazing for a young kid how strong he is. That’s a man’s goal. He was powerful, and, obviously, the shot was beautiful, and it’s encouraging.”
Following the goal, Helenius, who had apparently been jawing with some Rockets players during the game, gave Trudeau an earful.
“I let them know after the goal,” said Helenius, the 14th pick in 2024.
Hele with his fourth goal in his last three games…. pic.twitter.com/qdHCnPnHFm
— X-Rochester Americans (@AmerksHockey) April 12, 2025
The 5-foot-11, 189-pound Finn has recently been showcasing his growing confidence and maturity by playing a faster and more direct style. On April 6, he enjoyed his first three-goal outing with the Amerks.
“When he struggled, he was slowing things down,” said Paetsch, who spoke in place of coach Mike Leone following Friday’s game in Blue Cross Arena. “But that’s typical of somebody coming from Europe that’s played on the bigger ice, especially in the Finnish League, they tend to slow things down. It’s more control based, whereas here, time and space is limited. You got to play fast.
“He’s just growing and learning, and that’s what you expect from an 18-year-old.”
Helenius, who has compiled 13 goals and 34 points in 64 games this season, said he has recently changed “little things” in his game.
“Like winning my 50-50 battles,” he said. “That makes you feel better, and, of course, I get more pucks. I like to play a lot with the puck, so if I win more battles, I get more chances.”