Norway coach Kim Veisten is nothing but optimistic about his country's hockey future.
photo: Tim Austen/IIHF
The last quarter century of men’s hockey in Norway have been erratic. Some great years, some disappointing ones. But now, in 2025, all things seem to be pointed in the right direction. Since the Men’s U18 was introduced by the IIHF in 1999, Norway has been in that event and the World Juniors and WM all at the same time only four times—2006, 2011, 2024, and 2025.
And what makes 2025 perhaps something special and a sign of things to come is that this marks the first time ever that all three teams (WM, WM20, WM18) have played in the top pool in consecutive years. Men's U18 coach Kim Veisten is optimistic the program is developing talent that will be around for a good long time.
“We will be much better in the coming years,” he enthused. “We have a good program and a good system now. We need some sponsors to help with funding, however, because we've had some money issues. We don't have the ability to have long training camps like the other teams, and that means only a short time to get ready for important tournaments like this. But we do what we can.”
As is the case for any nation that has played up and down, funding is much easier to come by when you play with the world’s elite teams. But in Norway, there is no favourtism for senior events, which can only help the junior teams and players.
“In the federation, the funding is equal for all events,” Veisten explained. “In the community, we have school programs which are heading in the right direction, and our clubs and national team are also on the right track. We have some good young prospects now, and this will help our senior team in a few years.”
Veisten also sees a “type” of player that will be important for Norway to develop if it is to continue playing among the top 16 of the Men’s Worlds. “The key for us is to find hard-working players who will battle every shift,” he explained. “If we don't have that, we can't win and can't compete. We need to be physical and play with confidence.”
Norway’s troubles at every level revolve around scoring. Defence can be taught. Great goaltending can be developed. But putting the puck in the net? That’s not as simple as drawing x’s and o’s on a whiteboard.
“We've been working a lot on our play in the defensive zone,” Veisten elaborated of the national program's priorities. “And we've been trying to play with the puck rather than just throwing the puck away. But it's difficult sometimes. We are talking about being more clinical. We have to get pucks on the net and be happy sometimes to get dirty goals.”
This is Veisten’s second year as WM18 coach. The 35-year-old was with the U18 team for the previous three years as an assistant, and moved into the head-coaching job last year, finishing ninth an earning a spot in Frisco this year. So far, so good for the affable bench boss with a positive attitude.
“I have to do a good job, too, or someone else will take my place. We have to prepare and do our best, but my future is up to the federation. But I like the group of guys we have here, and I like coaching the U18 national team. For me, I like to compete with the best. It's a lot of learning.”
And what makes 2025 perhaps something special and a sign of things to come is that this marks the first time ever that all three teams (WM, WM20, WM18) have played in the top pool in consecutive years. Men's U18 coach Kim Veisten is optimistic the program is developing talent that will be around for a good long time.
“We will be much better in the coming years,” he enthused. “We have a good program and a good system now. We need some sponsors to help with funding, however, because we've had some money issues. We don't have the ability to have long training camps like the other teams, and that means only a short time to get ready for important tournaments like this. But we do what we can.”
As is the case for any nation that has played up and down, funding is much easier to come by when you play with the world’s elite teams. But in Norway, there is no favourtism for senior events, which can only help the junior teams and players.
“In the federation, the funding is equal for all events,” Veisten explained. “In the community, we have school programs which are heading in the right direction, and our clubs and national team are also on the right track. We have some good young prospects now, and this will help our senior team in a few years.”
Veisten also sees a “type” of player that will be important for Norway to develop if it is to continue playing among the top 16 of the Men’s Worlds. “The key for us is to find hard-working players who will battle every shift,” he explained. “If we don't have that, we can't win and can't compete. We need to be physical and play with confidence.”
Norway’s troubles at every level revolve around scoring. Defence can be taught. Great goaltending can be developed. But putting the puck in the net? That’s not as simple as drawing x’s and o’s on a whiteboard.
“We've been working a lot on our play in the defensive zone,” Veisten elaborated of the national program's priorities. “And we've been trying to play with the puck rather than just throwing the puck away. But it's difficult sometimes. We are talking about being more clinical. We have to get pucks on the net and be happy sometimes to get dirty goals.”
This is Veisten’s second year as WM18 coach. The 35-year-old was with the U18 team for the previous three years as an assistant, and moved into the head-coaching job last year, finishing ninth an earning a spot in Frisco this year. So far, so good for the affable bench boss with a positive attitude.
“I have to do a good job, too, or someone else will take my place. We have to prepare and do our best, but my future is up to the federation. But I like the group of guys we have here, and I like coaching the U18 national team. For me, I like to compete with the best. It's a lot of learning.”