MS in hockey 2025: The story of Finnish goalkeeper Tolvanen who catches Austria
Stockholm. Every time the brothers meet on one ice, it attracts attention. 9. May 2025 will be written in the history of the World Cup, but also in the Tolven family chronicle.
Atte and Eeli brothers started the match World Championship in hockey. But not like teammates.
Older Atte is the goalkeeper of Austria, younger Eeli again striker Finland. They became only the third brother couple, which opposed each other at the level of the World Championship.
« I am looking forward to the fact that my brother did not score a goal. If he scored against me, he would certainly remind me constantly, especially during the summer when we train together, » said the Austrian goalkeeper.
After the match, the players shook their hands. When the team’s schedule allows them, they plan to meet in the streets of Sweden’s capital.
After the phone call had to leave
Atte Tolvanen was not at the beginning of the tournament only from the duel against his brother. He was also held by his wife Anna-Kais, who expects the first child of a young family.
« If there was no match against Finland and Eeli, I probably wouldn’t be here. I know how special it was, but I don’t want to miss the birth of my firstborn child, » Atte said.
The call from his wife finally came on Saturday. The thirty -year -old goalkeeper did not hesitate and sat on the plane that went to Helsinki an hour away.
« Being a father is the best thing in the world. There are more important things than ice hockey, » says Roger Bader, head coach of the Austrian team.
Tolvanen released from the national services without any problems, they were already agreed before the championship. For the time being, it is questionable when to join the team again.
The naturalized Finnish missed a duel with Sweden (2: 4) and will not start on Monday against Slovakia (16:20, JOJ). It will be represented by David Kickert.
His career was restarted by coincidence
The experienced goalkeeper has an interesting career story in addition to a fraternal duel. ATTE Tolven was born in Vihti in the south of Finland.
He started the hockey career when the oldest brother Joon put it in the goal. Initially he played in the Finnish junior competitions.
Even as a teenager, he went to the United States of America, where he tried NAHL and later joined Northern Michigan University. But no one chose it on the NHL draft.
In the summer of 2017 he and his brother Eeli attended the Nashville Predators training camp. Unsuccessfully. While the younger of the couple continues to make the NHL’s way and is currently working on Seattle Kraken, Atte decided to return home.
He spent two seasons in the highest Finnish competition, but the results were not dazzling. At the age of 27 he had few options, he found himself at the intersection. He even thought about ending his career.
Later he signed a short -term contract with Vaasan Sport, where he only trained until the space in Salzburg, Austria, was released.
The sown for the injured goalkeeper eventually became a heart affair. Since the first signature, four years have passed and Tolven won four titles with Salzburg in a multinational IceHl. He became the most useful playoff player three times.
Austria? They have beer everywhere
Reliable performance in the best Austrian team did not bypass the sight of national coaches.
« I played well in the league well enough and long enough. About a year ago, the Union asked me if I wouldn’t be interested in applying for citizenship, » the goalkeeper explained before the start MS in hockey 2025.
At first it was a shock to him. « I am a Finnish, I can’t change it. I will never be a completely Austrian, but the longer I live there, the more it becomes my home, » Tolvanen said.
“When I go to the Alps, I climb a hill, look at the view and the sun is shining, hockey worries will disappear quickly and I can enjoy my free day.
In addition, beer can be bought there everywhere, the alcohol law is not as strict as in Finland. There is a beer stand at every event, ”he joked.
It still does not control German, but the expression equipment of citizenship was taken care of by the Hockey Association. He had long -term problems with the goalie post and the Finnish immediately filled the place.
Tolven became the Austrian at the end of last year and still claims that he would not have a debut at the World Cup for great competition in his homeland.
