Noora Tulus and Team Finland are no longer happy just being in the top division as they've struggled in recent years. They want to regain a spot on the podium. Tulus also discusses her future in the PWHL.
Noora Tulus and Team Finland are no longer happy just being in the top division as they've struggled in recent years. They want to regain a spot on the podium. Tulus also discusses her future in the PWHL.
Last year, Finland found themselves in uncharted territory. The perennial medal contender was playing in Group B among a second tier of nations at the World Championships. From a nation familiar with claiming bronze medals, and being the lone team to knock off Canada and USA in past upsets, to being in a group where relegation is a risk, it was a fall.
Back in Group A this year, and with one of the nation's strongest rosters in years, it's not about working their way back up anymore, it's back to the business of winning medals for Finland.
"It's our goal to take a medal from this tournament," said veteran Noora Tulus. "We like the battles, we like the challenges, we want to play those tough games."
For a nation with 13 bronze and a silver at the World Championships, medal contention should be the norm, but the rise of Czechia following the cancelled tournament due to COVID in 2021, hasn't seen Finland return to full form. This time around, Tulus and her teammates are ready for that next challenge.
"We just need to boost each other and stay positive moving forward," she said.
The 28-year-old speedster has spent the past nine seasons with Lulea in the SDHL. She's a scoring force in Europe, this year collecting a career high 61 points in 36 games to lead the SDHL in scoring. She was also the league's face-off leader winning 64.72% of her draws.
For Tulus, her decade of work against top players in the world could soon translate to success in the world's best league, the PWHL. Tulus is one of a handful of elite European players expected to declare for the PWHL Draft to play in the league next season.
"I've been following it a little bit, but I'm trying to be here and now and focused for this team, and put the heart in this team and work in this team," she said. "We will see what's coming."