Why Mikko Rantanen Spends a Week Every Summer at a Youth Hockey Camp
Mikko Rantanen Academy looks like a pretty fun place
Every July since 2020, a few days of Mikko Rantanen’s summer plans have been set aside for hockey—not for him to play, but to pass along to the next generation.
Kids 9-15 years old can register for Mikko Rantanen Hockey Academy, a five-day experience which includes on- and off-ice activities and workouts, including a visit to a trampoline park.
Per the website, a week-long camp package costs €399 (about $460) and includes ice time, coaching, a host of activities, lunches, snacks, skate-sharpening, and a “high-quality equipment package.”
There are two particularly unique things about this hockey camp.
First, it’s continuous. That means the same kids can return each year and build on the work they’ve done in the past with a lot of the same people.
And second, the camp includes a few days with Mikko Rantanen.
This year will be the seventh straight year Rantanen will spend a few days at his academy. And as you hear him talk about it, you can see why he devotes some of the precious few off days NHLers have to the academy that bears his name.
Getting to meet Teemu Selanne and the Koivu brothers at hockey camps Rantanen attended growing up left an impact on him, so bringing in notable people besides himself is still something he tries to do. In past years, Rantanen has been joined by other NHLers like Joel Kiviranta. Lining up exactly which ones might be free each year is always a tricky thing before playoffs and free agency have run their course, so he says this year’s guests are still TBD—although they could include anything from Finnish musical artists to other hockey players.
Rght before the Olympic break, I had a chance to chat with Rantanen all about his academy, including how it started, why it matters to him, and what his and the kids’ favorite parts of the week are. That conversation can be found below, so let’s get to it.
(Questions and answers have been lightly edited for clarity.)
Robert: When did you first have the idea to start a hockey academy for kids?
Mikko Rantanen: Well, actually, it came from a friend of mine. Because there wasn’t an academic kind of style where the same kids can come year after year. It’s always one year, and then reset, and new kids come in. So it wasn’t in Finland anywhere, where kids could come for years straight, if they want.
How did you go about making that idea a reality?
MR: Well, actually it was one of my friends who was working in hockey management who had the idea. Then I was like, ‘Yeah, that’s a good idea.’ Because I used to go to a lot of camps when I was younger, and those were always highlights of the summer when you were a kid. So that’s why I wanted to give back a little bit.
Who was that first person that you talked to about getting that camp going?
MR: Jukka Lohva [Chief Operating Officer, Mikko Rantanen Hockey Academy]. He was the guy who who came up with it, who started it, then got me on board. He’s been doing an excellent job, working and handling everything. It’s a lot, you know. It’s like 125 kids, around there. So five groups of kids, and a lot of things go into that. They want to make it good quality, the food and everything.
In the camp’s listed set of four core values, I noticed “The courage to fail” listed. Why is “The courage to fail” important for kids?
MR: Well, I think those are the moments you learn. For kids, it’s different than for professionals, but like falling down during practice, some kids might think it’s embarrassing or whatever. But just encouraging them, ‘Always get up, have a smile in your face, and support each other.’ That’s what we try to teach the kids there. Then maybe that will help them later in their life.
How tricky was setting up the camp last year after being traded twice? Because the branding of the camp, the colors and everything are kind of the same as your NHL team.
MR: Yeah, it was. Some work went into that, because it was burgundy and blue before, and now it’s green, mostly. I think the jerseys were still the old color, because they didn’t have time, but yeah. There was some work for Jukka to get those logistics done.
What part of the academy do you have the most fun doing?
MR: I think what I enjoy the most when I go there is just being on the ice with the kids, you know? It’s fun to see the difference when you go to the youngest group, and they’re following you, looking up like this”—here Rantanen mimes a wide-eyed expression— “and then the older group, it’s already like been four years. They’ve seen me for a couple years, so they’re kind of acting a little cool. They don’t even look at you sometimes, like ‘He’s here, whatever.’ So that’s funny.
I think being on the ice, that’s when the kids are having most fun.
Do you keep up with with the kids or their families, after they graduate and finish?
MR: I haven’t talked to any individuals. Obviously, I’ve sent some videos to the groups during the year, just to say, ‘Keep working, keep practicing,’ the usual stuff. But not after they graduated. That would be a good idea maybe, check on them after a couple of years.
For this year, is there something new you’ve had in mind that you want to make sure to say to the kids at the next camp?
MR: I try to pick up something every year. I can’t think of anything now, but there’s probably some things, because I talk to the kids there in the groups and try to bring them something new, not always the same things.
I don’t have anything in mind yet, so it’s good I have a couple more months to think about it. *laughs*
How long does the camp run for, and when are you there with the kids?
MR: It’s Monday to Friday, and usually I’m there like three days. I’m on the ice for two days, and then one day I do autographs and pictures and stuff. So that’s kind of the plan.
Last thing: For especially the younger kids, what do you think their favorite part of the whole camp is? What do they have the most fun doing?
MR: Well, I think they like the hockey, obviously, being on the ice. But I think there’s one day where I think two or three of the youngest groups, they go to this playground with trampolines. I think it’s Wednesday or Thursday, in the middle, so they get a break.
They go maybe only once on the ice in the morning, and then they go play and have fun and do other stuff. Because hockey can be a lot for them if they go twice a day for five days straight. I think they enjoy it. I’ve never been there with them, but I’ve heard they really enjoy it.
That’s kids, right? One of their favorite parts of a hockey academy, is…not the hockey.
MR: *laughs* Yeah, exactly.
That's a cool story. Thanks for bringing out the other aspects of these guys!