Season Review: Interview with Daniel Stanzel, Offensive Coordinator of the Helsinki Roosters

By Alina Blomqvist (cover photo by Mikko Mäkelä)

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The Roosters are back on top after winning the 45th Maple Bowl. How do you feel?

I feel great. It’s been far too long since the trophy was in Helsinki, and I’m truly happy for our players. They’ve worked so hard, putting in the time and commitment needed to become winners. I also think about the families and friends behind the scenes who got to be part of it. We know that without their support, none of this would be possible, and they get to experience the fun of winning with us. So yes, I couldn’t be more pleased.

The team put up an impressive 90 points in the postseason. What were the key factors behind this offensive surge?

Well, first off, it wasn’t just the offense. We also scored on defense and special teams, and both units set the offense up with great field position throughout the playoffs. It’s much easier to score when you get the ball on the opponent’s 40-yard line than on your own 10, for example. Overall, I think we were sound in all aspects of the game, which led to the team scoring a lot of points in the playoffs.

Secondly, it was clear how our players improved throughout the year. We hit our peak in the postseason, which is what you aim for. On offense, several guys played some of their best games in the Maple Bowl. Urjansson, Jauhiainen, Närhi, Greenfield - just to name a few. When it mattered the most, our players rose to the occasion, which is why they crowned themselves champions.

Let’s start with the offensive line. Tell us about how they performed and the impact they had on the offense overall.

I can confidently say that we wouldn’t be where we are without our big guys up front. Samuli Vehkomäki, our team captain, played as consistently as it gets, earning him yet another all-star recognition. He’s the glue that holds this unit together, and his input is invaluable to us coaches as well. Aleksi Närhi struggled with injuries early on, and it took him some time to return to form, but his mental toughness carried him through. Once he started dominating the interior, our run game became unstoppable, especially during the postseason. Mikko Toiminen had some monster games this season. As a center, he doesn’t just touch the ball on every play; he’s also the anchor of our pass protection through his communication. His commitment played a crucial role in the effectiveness of our offense.

Then we have the success story of Aki Aho, which continued in 2024. Aki joined the Roosters later in his career and has since become a champion, national team player, a two-time all-star, and the most violent run blocker in the league. Watching his development as a lineman has been pure joy. Jake Parks is a true professional. I wouldn’t be surprised if he gets a shot in one of the pro leagues overseas. Having played guard in college, he looked natural as a tackle, adding a new dimension to our line - another player who had an impressive postseason performance. Sadly we never got to see Viktor Asklöf who missed the season with an injury but luckily we also had plug in players such as Davide Bersanetti.

We should also mention the younger guys who stepped up and were an important part of this unit. U17 players Romeo Tohmo and Titus Tervanen started a few games for us when we battled injuries and performed well. Akusti Saarinen earned his first Maple League start, and Iiro Metsäniemi might have been one of the team’s most improved players. Having depth and quality guys at the offensive line position is a key ingredient of any good team.

The running backs turned some heads this season. Talk about Ethan Greenfield and Lassi Pajarinen.

Any student of the game knows that Ethan Greenfield was a central piece of the offense. Everyone saw his ability to break tackles and his impact as a receiver, but what doesn’t show on the stat sheet is his leadership and blocking ability. We asked a lot of him, and he consistently set the standard for both the players and coaches. Let’s just say if Europe had its own football video game, Greenfield should be on the cover.

Lassi Pajarinen made a strong case for being the best Finnish running back in the league. His season last year was cut short by injury, and it took time for him to regain full confidence. Once he broke through with that touchdown in the first Crocodiles game, we knew we could rely on him. After that, we were able to run two-RB sets adding versatility to our offense. I also want to mention Lenni Rantalainen, who’s an up-and-comer. This season, he was primarily seen on special teams, but I saw him grow throughout the year, earning himself some reps on offense as well.

The team was without receivers Santtu Vehkomäki and Johannes Jauhiainen for a long stretch after Week 1. Did this give younger players a chance to step up?

Absolutely. However, losing two key guys like Santtu and Johannes also put a lot of pressure on Bryce Nunnelly, who immediately became the focal point of our passing game. He delivered and finished his first season in Finland with the most receiving touchdowns and became Ambro’s number one target. Santtu Vehkomäki’s injury was tough. He looked unstoppable in the season opener and was primed for a big year. He did manage to return late in the season, and although he was limited, his contributions in the postseason were invaluable. Especially his touchdown in the semifinal and a crucial third-down catch in the Maple Bowl. Like most of our players, Johannes Jauhiainen sacrifices a lot for this game, and though he had his ups and downs this year, I thought he looked better than ever, particularly in his route-running ability. Winning his first Maple Bowl and scoring three touchdowns in that final game was the perfect ending to his year.

Tarmo Pitkänen finally had the breakout season he deserved. He spent the first half of the year blocking and getting others open, but his game-winning catch against the Crocodiles at Velodromi was a long time coming. And of course, his catches in the semis were crucial. Everyone roots for Tarmo - he’s a true team player. Artturi Tähkäpää and Rene Rautiainen emerged big-time this year. When injuries hit, both stepped into key roles on offense, and their performances earned them the trust of their teammates and coaches. Artturi had the game-winner against Porvoo in the regular season, and Rene scored in the Maple Bowl. It will be interesting to monitor their development. Andrej Solovian struggled with injuries early on, but he never stopped working, waiting for his opportunity. Linus Sahlstein, our youngest receiver, was in a similar situation. The talent in the receiver room was immense, but both kept competing and left their mark on our offense and special teams.

Lastly, let’s talk about the quarterbacks. The Roosters went into the season with three young Finnish QBs. Ambro Urjansson became the third Finnish quarterback to win the Maple Bowl*.

Jon Hietakunnas is a tough kid who we utilized in various ways. If needed, he could line up as a receiver or running back. His development in his rookie season has been impressive, and he gained valuable playing time, showing glimpses of his potential. Jerry Silomaa is light-years ahead of where he was last year. He’s like a sponge, soaking up information and learning at every opportunity. As expected, there were some struggles - it is the toughest position in sports. However, he ended up throwing for 500 yards and 5 TDs and earned his first Maple League start. I’m excited to see his next stage of development.

And Ambro Urjansson played an outstanding season at the highest level. His growth as a player and a leader within a year has been incredible, and of course, his performance in the Maple Bowl earned him MVP honors. Let’s be clear, Ambro was brought back because we as a staff trusted he’d give us the best shot at the championship - and he did just that.

What is it about the Roosters that fosters quarterback development?

The Roosters organization provides one of the best environments in Europe for player development at any position. We’ve sent players to the NFL, CFL, and NCAA, and teams across Europe regularly slide into our players’ DMs. Our facilities, coaching staff, and the high level of competition in practices all play a crucial role in this.

Take our quarterbacks, for example. Each one has benefited from technical coaching provided by former import QBs, all of whom led specialized QB sessions during their time in Helsinki. During the offseason, we hold focused meetings to deepen their understanding of the game, covering everything from how defensive fronts relate to coverages to key pre-snap reads. Weekly practices provide high competition and valuable reps against the league’s top defense and players. And the opportunity for live game experience is crucial. Jon, a true rookie and third on the depth chart at quarterback, managed to accumulate around 40 reps in the Maple League by season’s end. Huge for his development down the road.

Looking ahead to 2025, what are the key areas of focus for the team, and how do you see the Roosters continuing to build on this year's achievements?

This is a very young and talented team, and I think our players are just getting started. I expect everyone to take another big leap forward this offseason. The Roosters were starved for a championship for years, and winning the final is like taking the first bite of your favorite meal - deeply satisfying, yet it leaves you hungry for more.

* In the modern era since 1990, when American quarterbacks were allowed