World Junior Championships 2023: Team Finland final list
It’s time to talk about Team Finland, which has already named its roster for the 2023 World Youth Championships. After the silver medal in the previous tournament, the Finns arrive at the Avenir Center in Moncton with confidence that they can compete with the others. four great nations involved in the competition.
The Finnish list built by long-time CEO Kimmo Oikarinen has several standout drafts, impressive prospects for 2024 and stable options online.
Related: The 2023 guide to the World Youth Championships
Although the Finns rely heavily on the likes of Brad Lambert and Joakim Kemelli to generate offense, the hockey world should still expect business as usual from Oikarinen’s side. They just remained unbeaten in the five-team tournament in Europe and they can always be relied upon to be greater than the sum of their parts.
Here’s Finland’s 25-man squad for the World Juniors, comments on their standout players and notable snoops.
Finnish team, 2023 youth WC goalkeepers:
Niklas Kokko, Aku Koskenvuo, Jani Lampinen
Seattle Kraken’s second-round pick Niklas Kokko is expected to fill Team Finland’s crease. He has started his professional career solidly on loan with Hermes. He has maintained a .904 save percentage (SV%) in a dozen appearances for the Mestis – his home country’s second division.
Kokko has the size and footwork to make an impact at the World Youth Championships. Still, just 18 years old, the 6-foot-3 netminder will enjoy a productive career at the highest level if his development continues on his current trajectory.
Aku Koskenvuo, a mid-round pick of the New York Rangers, will be in the backup role, while the undrafted Jani Lampinen is expected to work at third.
Finnish team, 2023 Youth World Cup defender:
Kalle Ervasti, Aleksi Heimosalmi, Aron Kiviharju, Aleksi Malinen, Ville Ruotsalainen, Otto Salin, Jimi Suomi, Topias Vilén
Aron Kiviharju is an unknown amount on Finland’s blueline. Born in Esbjerg, Denmark, the 16-year-old defender made his professional debut earlier this season and has looked solid in his six league appearances.
Kiviharju has also achieved impressive results in the junior ranks, as he has provided 12 assists in 13 matches for his club’s U20 team this season. If he carries his form into the World Juniors, it could boost his draft campaign.
Aleksi Heimosalmi, who was chosen 44th overall in the Carolina Hurricanes in 2021, is an important return to Finland. He has started the season impressively in Liiga with Ässät, scoring 12 points (four goals, eight assists) in 25 games, and has enough foot speed to win a match at the junior level.
Topias Vilen (New Jersey Devils) and Otto Salin (Los Angeles Kings) are also important factors for Team Finland. Both of them are expected to take up difficult tasks.
Finnish team, 2023 youth World Cup strikers:
Niko Huuhtanen, Lenni Hämeenaho, Konsta Kapanen, Oliver Kapanen, Aleksanteri Kaskimäki, Joakim Kemell, Ville Koivunen, Brad Lambert, Jere Lassila, Verner Miettinen, Jani Nyman, Sami Päivärinta, Topi Rönni, Kalle Väisänen
Finland’s roster has plenty of experience in the League, and most of their 900 performers will join the group going forward. Brad Lambert is just one example of the team’s professional experience: he collected 27 points (11 goals, 16 assists) in 99 games for JYP and the Lahti Pelicans before the draft year.
Lambert, who was selected 30th overall by the Winnipeg Jets Last summer, he got off to a slow start in his American Hockey League (AHL) career with the Manitoba Moose, but he has the skills and experience to succeed at the World Juniors. He is quick, not afraid to let the puck fly and plays in all situations for Team Finland, which should give him confidence in the post-draft season.
Joakim Kemell was selected 17th overall by the Nashville Predators in the most recent draft and has made steady progress since then. Unlike Lambert, he was loaned back to his home club (JYP) and has already scored 10 points (eight goals, two assists) in 24 games.
Kemell, who turns 19 in April, is a smart forward who does his best off the puck. He has developed a reputation for being in the right place at the right time and has the technical ability to convert the opportunities he gets.
Kemell, named the league’s Rookie of the Year in 2021-22, scored 12 points (seven goals, four assists) in seven games at the postponed 2022 World Youth Championship, and should record similar numbers this time around.
Ville Koivunen also offers valuable middle six firepower. The Carolina Hurricanes draft has been one of Finland’s most consistent performers in the junior classes and is ready to break through in its second under-20 World Cup.
Kalle Väisänen is another important silver medalist in the last puzzle tournament. Selected by the New York Rangers in the fourth round of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, the 6-foot-1 forward offers an attractive combination of size and skill. He is a top six baseman in the TPS League, but he can slide into a more attacking role for his national team.
The Finns left three drafted forwards from their roster: Miko Matikka (Arizona Coyotes), Samu Salminen (New Jersey Devils) and Samu Tuomaala (Philadelphia Flyers).
Looking ahead to the Finnish team at the 2023 World Youth Championships
Finland’s journey in the World Juniors begins on Boxing Day, when they meet Switzerland at the Avenir center. They will also face Slovakia, Latvia and the United States to reach the end of the preliminary round of the tournament. From there, the Finns will try to navigate the path to the gold medal game on January 5. If the chemistry develops quickly, they could have another medalist win.
Luke is an award-winning freelance sports reporter from London, England. Plus his work with the Washington Capitals and Ottawa Senators THWhe covers the Elite Ice Hockey League British ice hockey and world football in numerous publications including Bottom stack. Stay up to date with his content by following @LukeJames_32 on Twitter.