International Ice Hockey Federation

Finland ready

Finland ready

Rantanen joins the team today

Published 23.12.2015 12:27 GMT+2 | Author FIHA
Finland ready
The Finnish national team listens to the national anthem after a win over Germany at the 2015 IIHF World Junior Championship. Photo: Richard Wolowicz / HHOF-IIHF Images
Host team Finland is ready to fight for glory in front of the home crowd at the 2016 IIHF World Junior Championship in Helsinki.

Jukka Jalonen, the head coach of the Finland U20 national team, has made his final decisions regarding the team roster for World Juniors beginning this coming Saturday.

The pre-tournament games played against Switzerland and USA at the beginning of the week were the last chance for the players to show their best before the final roster for the World Juniors was decided.

”The USA game separated the wheat from the chaff. Playing against a world-class team enabled us to see who is now ready to play at this level, which is what this is all about,” Jalonen explained.

Top NHL prospects for next summer, Jesse Puljujarvi of Karpat Oulu, Patrik Laine of Tappara Tampere and defenceman Olli Juolevi playing for OHL team London Knights were selected into the team as expected.

When Colorado Avalance forward Mikko Rantanen joins the team today, Finland is ready to go.

Roster Finland

Goalkeepers:
Kaapo Kähkönen, Blues Espoo
Emil Larmi, Peliitat Heinola
Veini Vehviläinen, JYP Jyväskylä

Defencemen:
Olli Juolevi, London Knights (OHL)
Miro Keskitalo, TPS Turku
Niko Mikkola, KalPa Kuopio
Sami Niku, JYP Jyväskylä
Vili Saarijärvi, Flint Firebirds (OHL)
Eetu Sopanen, Peliitat Heinola
Joni Tuulola, HPK Hämeenlinna

Forwards:
Sebastian Aho, Kärpät Oulu
Kasper Björkqvist, Blues Espoo
Roope Hintz, HIFK Helsinki
Antti Kalapudas, Kärpät Oulu
Kasperi Kapanen, Toronto Marlies (AHL)
Patrik Laine, Tappara Tampere
Juho Lammikko, Kingston Frontenacs (OHL)
Julius Nättinen, Barrie Colts (OHL)
Jesse Puljujärvi, Kärpät Oulu
Mikko Rantanen, San Antonio Rampage (AHL)
Sebastian Repo, Pelicans Lahti
Aleksi Saarela, Ässät Pori
Miska Siikonen, Pelicans Lahti

 

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