2023 Finland Lions Cup 
July 28 - August 7, 2023
Vierumaki Center
Helsinki, Finland
The USJDP Selects will be traveling to Helsinki, Finland to participate in a 5-day European Training Camp, featuring 2.5 hours on-ice per day with European Professional coaches, followed by the 3-day Finland Lions Cup, featuring Junior teams from Sweden, Finland, Russia, Canada and more.
European Development Camp - July 29 - August 4, 2023:
The EDC is a 6-day elite, European-style development camp from Saturday, July 29 - Thursday, August 5 that will take place in the Vierumaki Olympic Training Center (home of the Finish Olympic Hockey Team). The team will participate in two (2), 75-minute on-ice sessions each day along with a 90-minute off-ice dryland training session. All on-ice training sessions will be run by the USJDP Selects Coaching staff along with special European professional coach guests.
Finland Lions Cup - August 4-6, 2023:
Run by the Espoo Blues Hockey Club, the Finland Lions Cup will take place in rinks in and around the Helsinki City Centre and will feature teams from Finland, Sweden, Russia, Canada and more. Beginning on Friday, August 5 with the Opening Ceremonies, the tournament will feature 4 round-robin stye games on Friday and Saturday, commencing with a 2-game playoff and Awards Ceremony on Sunday, August 7. Click here for the tournament website.
Official 2023 Finland Lions Cup Info Packet
Age Groups:
The Selects will be taking a 2006-2008 birth year team of 20 players max (12 FW, 6 D, and 2 Goaltenders) to Finland. To be eligible for the team, ALL players must have competed at the AA, AAA or Junior A/B level during the 2022-23 season to be eligible.
Tour Directors/Coaching Staff:
- Zac Desjardins, USJDP Director of Operations & Assistant Coach of the Rapid City Rush, ECHL professional league
- Second coach to be announced
Accommodations:
All players and family members will stay on campus at the Vierumaki Olympic Training Center during the European Training Camp before transferring to the Scandic Grand Marina Helsinki in historic Helsinki City Centre for the Finland Lions Cup. All players will be housed together in team rooms at both locations and each player must have at least one parent/family member accompany them on this trip.
Selection Process:
All interested players must submit the USJDP Selects Hockey Tour Application Form by clicking the Apply Now! link below. Upon receipt of the completed application form, the USJDP will contact each players’ coach for an in-depth player recommendation and evaluation. After speaking with each coach, USJDP staff will make a determination about each player and notify you of our decision within 3-4 weeks. Acceptance on any of the teams will be based equally on character references and player ability. These tours are for the dedicated athlete interested in the individual development and exposure our tours provide.
2023 Finland Lions Cup Tour Itinerary:
Please download the Official 2023 Finland Lions Cup Info Packet above to review the complete tour itinerary!
Tour Fees*:
Players $2,795
Family Member $2,495 - single occupancy
Family Member $2,150 - double occupancy
Family Member $1,950 - triple occupancy
- Tour fees remained the same in 2023
* PLAYERS:
This ALL-INCLUSIVE package includes transportation to and from airport, all outlined training camp sessions and tournament games, all in-country transportation, accommodations, certain daily meals as outlined in the Official Info Packet, tournament entry fees, stated off day tours, transfer fees, and USJDP Selects custom team jersey, socks, hat, shirt and hoodie/jacket. Players, parents and family members traveling with the team are responsible for their own flights to and from Finland and must meet the Team Bus at the Helsinki Vantaa Airport on Saturday, July 29, 2023. Please schedule a return flight anytime after 12 noon on Monday, August 7, 2023.
* PARENTS:
It is recommended that each player has one parent/family member accompany them on this tour, but it is not required. The family member package includes transportation to and from airport, all in-country transportation, stated off day tours, accommodations, certain daily meals as outlined in the Official Info Packet above, and transfer fees. Flights are NOT included.