Team Finland publishes the list of the World Championships
Patrik Laine, who is expected to be one of the first players selected in the 2016 NHL Draft, was one of seven players added to Finland’s squad for the 2016 World Cup of Hockey on Friday.
Laine, ranked No. 2 in NHL Central Scouting’s final rankings of international skaters, could be one of the top two players selected in the draft, which will be held on March 24-25. June at the First Niagara Center in Buffalo.
On Friday, forwards were also named to Team Finland Erik Haula (Minnesota Wild) and Sebastian Aho (Karpat, FIN); defensemen Ville Pokka (Chicago Blackhawks), Sami Lepisto (Salavat Yulaev Ufa, Kontinental Hockey League) and Jyrki Jokipakka (Calgary Flames); and goalkeeper Mikko Koskinen (SKA St. Petersburg, KHL).
The 18-year-old Laine scored seven goals and 12 points at the 2016 IIHF World Championships and was named tournament MVP for silver medalist Finland. He was also chosen MVP of the Finnish professional league’s Liiga playoffs after helping Tappara win the championship.
He also helped Finland win the gold medal at the 2016 IIHF World Junior Championships, where he played like a World Cup match with 18-year-old Carolina Hurricanes prospect Aho. Aho scored 20 goals and 45 points in 45 games played with Karpati in the League.
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Haula, 25, has set personal NHL records this season in goals (14), assists (20), points (34) and games played (76). He also had one goal and three assists in five Stanley Cup playoff games.
Jokipakka, 24, had six assists in 18 games and averaged 17:54 of ice time with the Flames after being traded from the Dallas Stars on Feb. 29. Before the trade, he had six points in 40 games and an average of 14:30. ice age
The 21-year-old Pokka, who plays in Rockford of the American Hockey League, ranks fourth among AHL defensemen with 45 points in 76 games.
The 31-year-old Lepisto collected 30 points in 60 regular season KHL games and 13 points in 19 playoff games. Selected by the Washington Capitals in the third round (No. 66) of the 2004 draft, he played 176 NHL games between four teams from 2007-2012.
The 27-year-old Koskinen was the best goaltender in the World Series, with a 1.13 goals-against average and a .947 save percentage. He also posted a 2.42 GAA and .915 save percentage in 41 KHL games. Selected in the second round (No. 31) of the 2009 draft by the New York Islanders, he played four games in the 2010-11 season. He returned to Europe in the 2011-12 season.
The 2016 Ice Hockey World Championships will be played from September 17 to October 1 at the Air Canada Center in Toronto. All games will be televised by ESPN in the US and Sportsnet and TVA Sports in Canada.
Here is the entire Team Finland list (in alphabetical order by location):
Ahead:
Sebastian Aho, Karpat (FIN); Alexander BarkovFlorida Panthers; Joonas DonskoiSan Jose Sharks; Valtteri FilppulaTampa Bay Lightning; Mikael Granlund, Minnesota Wild; Erik Haula, Minnesota Wild; Jussi JokinenFlorida Panthers; Mikko KoivuMinnesota Wild; Leo KomarovToronto Maple Leafs; Lauri Korpikoski, Edmonton Oilers; Patrik Laine, Tampere (FIN); Jori LehteraSt. Louis Blues; Teuvo TeravainenChicago Blackhawks
Defenders:
Jyrki Jokipakka, Calgary Flames; Sami Lepisto, Salavat Yulaev Ufa (KHL); Esa Lindell, Dallas Stars; Olli Määttä, Pittsburgh Penguins; Ville Pokka, Chicago Blackhawks; Rasmus RistolainenBuffalo Sabres; Sami VatanenAnaheim Ducks
Goalkeepers:
Mikko Koskinen, SKA St. Petersburg (KHL); Tuukka RaskBoston Bruins; Pekka RinneNashville Predators