Until this year, Eero and Antti Helanto had never played on the same hockey team. The two brothers from Finland have now become key parts of the Cyclone attack early on this season.

Antti, sophomore defenseman, said it is nice to play with his brother now overseas.

“It feels kind of cool, we had never done this before because of the age difference,” Antti said. “It is really awesome to get this opportunity now overseas.”

Eero, freshman defenseman, is four years younger than his brother and also is enjoying the opportunity.

“I have always been following my brother when he was playing in Finland,” Eero said. “To be on the same team is really awesome.”

ISU coach Al Murdoch credits Eric Tofte, the director of recruiting, as a main reason why the Helantos came to play for the Cyclone Hockey.

“Coach Tofte did a great job of getting in touch with both fellows,” Murdoch said.

Before coming to Iowa State, Antti played for the Owatonna Express of the North American Hockey League. Antti had quite a bit of interest from other teams and had a big decision to make before deciding on playing at Iowa State.

“I had to decide whether to play in Europe as a pro or play in college,” Antti said. “To be contacted by a school like Iowa State, a great academic school, made moving here easy.”

Eero came to Iowa State straight from Finland, where he played for the TPS Turku U20 team. A lot of what he heard about Iowa State came from Antti.

“I heard from my brother that it was a great school and they play good hockey here,” Eero said. “I was so interested in coming here to play with my brother.”

Murdoch thinks Antti was overlooked by schools when he was playing in Owatonna.

“He was a very good find; we liked him, and we got him, so we were very excited about that,” Murdoch said. “His brother is every bit as good a player as he is so we are very happy to have them.”

The Helantos have not yet played together but Murdoch said they are doing fine where they are.

“It is a big temptation to play them together, but I will keep them where they are because they are playing really well,” Murdoch said.

Antti said any decision to put him and his brother on the ice together is not up to him.

“That is up to the coaches, we are doing good right now with the partners we have,” Antti said. “Maybe later in the year or next year, but we are doing well now.”

Eero said playing with his brother would be nice but he has meshed well with the line he is currently on.

“I really look up to Matt Bennett, [junior defenseman,] so I like where I am at now,” Eero said.

So far this season, Antti Helanto is credited for five points, two goals and three assists, and Eero has amassed three points, two goals and one assist.

Whether or not they are on the ice together, both brothers are really enjoying the experience of playing together.

“We never got this chance to play together growing up; it is just really awesome,” Antti said.