That is the view of Matti Haapakoski, one of the Dunedin Thunder's Finnish imports.
New Zealand ice hockey has adopted the more physical North American style, where players are frequently pushed into the boundary walls and where fights occasionally occur.
It is different in Europe.
"In France it is all skills with few physical clashes," Haapakoski said. "It is a bit more physical in Finland."
World champion Russia topped the rankings at the end of the European season and was followed by Finland and the Czech Republic. New Zealand was ranked 37th from the 47 countries listed.
Haapakoski (30) is joined by fellow Finnish players Jussi Vahamaa (23) and Joni Nukari (21) in the Dunedin team this year.
They all play semi-professional ice hockey in Finland and have come to New Zealand to gain more international experience.
While playing in Finland they need a part-time job to supplement their income. In New Zealand, they have to pay to play for the Thunder.
"Kiwis even have to pay to play for the Ice Blacks," Haapakoski said.
It is different in Finland, where players in the elite international team earn at least 500,000 (NZ$795,000) a year.
"Young players have two dreams - to play for Finland and then play in the lucrative North American National Hockey League," Nukari said.
There are 100,000 ice hockey players in Finland and most learn to skate at a young age.
The three Dunedin Thunder players first put on skates at the age of 3.
"When you learn to walk you put skates on," Nukari said.
Nukari started playing ice hockey at the age of 10 and Haapakoski at the age of 9. They both play for the Oulainen team in the semi-professional competition.
Vahamaa lives in the town of Alavus and has played for the semi-professional Diskos team for the last three years. He started playing ice hockey at 13.
The Finns have been impressed by the standard of ice hockey they have experienced in New Zealand.
"They could become superstars if they keep it up," Nukari said.
They have also been impressed by the facilities at the Dunedin Ice Stadium.
"It is the best in New Zealand and the quality of the ice is as good as you would get in Finland or anywhere in the world," Haapakoski said.
The Dunedin Thunder plays a double header against the Botany Swarm in Auckland this weekend.
In Queenstown, the Southern Stampede has its first home games of the season with a double header against the West Auckland Admirals.
Ice hockey
Games this weekend
Dunedin Thunder v Botany Swarm,Auckland, today and tomorrow (both 5pm)
Southern Stampede v West Auckland Admirals,Queenstown, today and tomorrow (both 7pm)
