Team Finland’s players to watch at the 2023 WJC
What Juuse Saros, Jesse Puljujärvi, Teuvo Teräväinen, Sebastian Aho and Patrick Laine all have in common? They are all Finnish players who have had massive World Junior performances leading to tournament gold medals. Now the next generation of powerful Finns are ready to take the stage and try to win gold for the first time since 2019 at this year’s World Juniors.
In the 2022 summer tournament, Finland was so close to gold after that falls to Canada in overtime. Without Mason McTavish’s goal line save and Kent Johnson’s overtime hero, Finland would have celebrated its fifth gold medal in this story. Led by 15 NHL draft prospects, the Finns aim to avenge last year’s tournament and get the job done this year.
Joakin Kemmell – Right Wing
Nashville’s 2022 No. 1 overall pick Joakin Kemmell is expected to have a massive tournament after scoring in Finland over the summer 2022 World Juniors. He scored 12 points in seven games and was named to the All-Star Team. That wasn’t his only international success, as in the under-18s he recorded eight points in five games and won a bronze medal. He also scored 23 points in 39 games as a 17-year-old in the 2021-22 League season and was named Rookie of the Year. Some might say it was a pretty good year for the Finnish sniper, as it also resulted in him being drafted 17th overall.
Related: Nashville Predators Draft Joakim Kemell 17th overall.
After his performance less than six months ago, the expectations are high for Kemmell because he is expected to lead Finland’s attack. He once again makes an impressive mark for an 18-year-old player with eight goals in 24 League matches and will be the Finns’ trigger on the power play. He undoubtedly has one of the best shots of the tournament, but he needs to show his playmaking skills if Finland wants a chance at gold. There is no doubt that he is the focal point of the opposition, so finding open teammates is key to the team’s success.
Brad Lambert – Center
Another return to the team, Brad Lambert is looking compensate for poor performance in 2022, when he scored just one goal in five games. This is his third World Juniors, as he recorded four points in seven games in 2021, helping Finland to a third-place finish. With a bronze and a silver in this tournament, he will be motivated to complete the collection with gold this year.
Lambert has started the season in the American Hockey League (AHL) slowly, with just three points in 14 games. This World Juniors could be just what the doctor ordered Winnipeg Jets 2022 First Round, as a strong tournament could give him the extra confidence he needs to raise his game. An excellent playmaker, he and Kemmell could cause nightmares for the opposition throughout the contest.
Aleksi Heimosalmi – Defense
The leader of Finland’s blue line is expected to be Carolina Hurricanes 2021 second round pick Aleksi Heimosalmi. During the 2022 tournament, he scored seven points in seven games and scored his only goal of the competition in the gold medal game. During the tournament, he was also able to show how reliable he is in his own end at even strength, as he finished with a plus-4 plus/minus rating while playing more than 20 minutes in most games.
Related: Guide to the World Youth Championships 2023
This season, Heimosalmi has been solid in the League playing in Ässät with 12 points in 25 games. He also qualifies for the 2023 World Juniors with points in five of his last seven matches. Look for him to be in the 22-25 minute range per night as it is is predicted to play in all situations for Finns.
Aron Kiviharju – Defense
Normally at World Juniors, the conversation revolves around the drafted players or their draft year. This is not the case with Aron Kiviharju, because he is only eligible 2024 NHL Draft. The 16-year-old defender is the youngest player in the tournament, but he is worth watching as he has the potential to be the next great Finnish defender.
Kiviharju is already a star in the Finnish U20 league and has also seen ice time in the League this season. However, the question going into the tournament is how much he will actually play. While he may start the tournament as a low-minute man on the blue line, he is a player who saw his ice time increase throughout the event to the point where he is in the 18-20 minute range by the end of the game. competitive.
Niko Huuhtanen – Right Wing
Niko Huuhtanes has the potential to be the breakout star of the tournament. Drafted by Tampa Bay in the seventh round of the 2021 NHL Draft. The winger has 16 points in his first 24 games this season with Liiga Jukurit and is coming off a 77-point campaign. Everett with the Silvertips in the Western Hockey League (WHL). He’s a strong, two-way forward who can score goals, so don’t be surprised if he sees time on the power play for Finland.
Related: World Junior Championships 2023: Team Finland final list
Another reason why Huuhtanen could hold a massive tournament that he is not afraid to shoot the puck. He has taken 10 shots in his last two League games and has registered 10 and 14 shots in games this season. Not many people are talking about him before the start of the tournament, but don’t be surprised if he makes it to Finland.
Never count Finland out
There is something about Finland’s way of playing that makes them so dangerous tournaments of this type. While they aren’t the favorites for the tournament, it’s hard to bet against them going on a run and possibly capturing the gold. They are a solid team from top to bottom and should be tough again at the 2023 World Juniors.
Adam is excited to join The Hockey Writers as part of the Seattle Kraken and Vancouver Canucks team. His work can also be found at area51sportsnet.com where he covers the Vancouver Giants of the Western Hockey League.