Hayton Building Momentum for 2020-21 in Finland

Barrett Hayton is enjoying a unique opportunity while the NHL continues to formulate its 2020-21 season plan.
He's in Finland, playing hockey, and enjoying Finnish life and culture.
"Definitely the coffee and the chocolate," Hayton said, noting two Finnish specialties he's been able to enjoy.

"They have some great cafes here," he added. "I really enjoy coffee. So, definitely the coffee, the chocolate, and it's actually really good. It's something I had never heard of, but Finnish chocolate."
Asked to describe the climate, Hayton said: "It's not Arizona weather."
Hayton, 20, the Coyotes' fifth overall selection in the 2018 draft, is on loan with Tampereen Ilves of the Finnish Elite League (Liiga) until the start of Coyotes training camp.

The Peterborough, Ontario, native arrived in the southern city of Tampere - he describes as "a beautiful place" - on October 20, and self-isolated in a downtown apartment for the mandatory 10-day quarantine period implemented by the league for players arriving abroad.
"I've got a bike and some workout gear here in my apartment that I used to keep up with my training," Hayton said. "Obviously I wanted to be ready to play in that first game, that was kind of the goal all along. Having equipment in the apartment helped a lot, and helped the days go by."
Indeed, Hayton was cleared to play his first game on October 31. He logged 15:58 minutes in his debut and assisted the game-winning goal, scored by fellow Coyotes prospect Matias Maccelli.
Hayton centered the third line with Maccelli to his left and Senators 2020 second round selection Roby Jarventie to his right.
"Just having that one game, it's kind of hard to summarize all of it," Hayton said. "It's a very strong league. There are a lot of talented players. It's a high level for sure. Of course, there's bigger ice, but it's not too far different than the North American style of play here. It's fast and teams play pretty direct. It's hard-working and guys check tight. It's definitely skilled and a high-paced league."
Hayton knows Maccelli (pictured below) from 2019 Coyotes development and rookie camps, but the two always were opponents during intrasquad scrimmages.

"Being around him, I knew how talented of a player he was." Hayton said. "But I didn't know him too well personally. So, being able to spend some more time with him and talk with him during this process, he's been great."
Maccelli, selected No. 98 overall by the Coyotes in 2019, is the reigning Liiga Rookie of the Year and currently ranks No. 2 on the team in scoring with 12 points (5G, 7A) in 12 games.
"Getting on the ice with him and being on the same line, it's pretty eye opening how skilled he is," Hayton said. "We have a similar feel for the game. So, I think we're going to be able to build some good chemistry. He's a great guy to be around, and a good guy to play with."

Hayton also has been becoming better acquainted with Ilves teammates Lassi Thomson, a first-round selection of the Senators in the 2019 draft, and Juuso Valimaki, a first-round selection of the Flames in the 2017 draft.
"There's a group of guys here that I've kind of known from previous hockey world interactions," Hayton said. "They've been showing me around and they've taken me to a couple spots. I've experienced some of the Finnish culture. It's been a great experience so far.
Hayton had a one-on-one Zoom call with General Manager Bill Armstrong last week and has been communicating regularly with Mark Bell, Coyotes Director of Player Development.
"The message from Bill and Mark was just to make the most of this opportunity," Hayton said. "I'm fortunate to be over here. I'll have a lot of momentum coming into camp. I'll be on my game, and personally that's something I can really use to kind of propel myself into the season this year."
Hayton's next game is Friday, November 13, when the league returns from the Karjala Cup Tournament recess.
"The team has still been training and practicing throughout the break," Hayton said. "So, it's been good for me to have a training camp, so to speak, to have that little extended period of practice and kind of pick up on more of the finer details of the system and the type of play here. It's really been working out well."

Lead Photo Credit: Kevin Anggara - Arizona Coyotes // Second Photo Credit: Norm Hall - Arizona Coyotes // Third Photo Credit: Norm Hall - Arizona Coyotes // Footer Photo Credit: Norm Hall - Arizona Coyotes