Meet the Team: Finland's roster for the 2025 World Juniors

Finland has entered the previous World Juniors tournaments as a clear dark horse behind the big powerhouses, and this year is no different.

Up front, it's actually a pretty solid year for the Finns, but the lack of high-end talent on defence is a big disadvantage against the other top teams. Winning gold would require significant overachieving and likely an elite goaltending performance from one of the netminders.

Weirder things have happened in short tournament, though. Let's take a closer look into the roster.

The Roster

This is approximately how I'd expect the lineup to look at the start of the tournament.

As far as the forward group is concerned, this is a good year for the Finns.

With the Buffalo Sabres allowing Konsta Helenius to participate, the team should have a legitimate top-flight centre for the first time since the days of Aatu Räty and Anton Lundell. So far, Helenius has been good-but-not-great in the AHL; a quality showing here would serve as a good little boost to his season.

In addition to Helenius, Rasmus Kumpulainen should be another lock to fill a centre spot in the top-nine. The third centre spot is likely going to go to either Topias Hynninen or Julius Miettinen, depending on who the coaching staff prefers to play down the middle and who they'd rather move to the wing. Both should be safe bets to play in the top-nine in some capacity.

Like last year, Finland should have plenty of scoring power on the wings. Every prospect enthusiast knows the shooting power that returning members Kasper Halttunen and Emil Hemming bring. Jesse Kiiskinen has also blossomed into a top-line Liiga forward this year and is a threat to score on the power play with his one-timer. 

Given the depth of options on the wings, it's guaranteed that a few good players will have to be reduced into depth roles. It's not until the start of the tournament that we'll have a good grip at who the coaching staff values most between players like Benjamin Rautiainen, Roope Vesterinen and Tuomas Uronen.

Tom Leppä and Heikki Ruohonen seem like the top candidates to serve as the fourth-line centre. It's very possible that the other ends up not making the final team, given Finland is set to make one final cut after the pre-tournament games.

Unfortunately, the depth starts to crumble quickly once we move to the defence group. The coaching staff will have to rely heavily on Emil Pieniniemi and Aron Kiviharju, but the harsh truth is that neither would even be close to making Team Canada or Team USA.

Daniel Nieminen and Mitja Jokinen are two solid puck-movers and returning member Kalle Kangas brings much-needed size and experience, but they could all be in trouble against quicker and more physical opposition.

Thankfully, Finland should be equipped with good options in net. Two 2006-born goalies in Petteri Rimpinen and Kim Saarinen should lead the way, with the former having been one of the best Liiga goalies during the first half of the season. Similar heroics will be required if Finland is to contend.

Forwards:

Arttu Alasiurua, LW/C, Kärpät (Liiga)

2025 NHL Draft (re-entry)

After a dominant campaign at the U20 level last season, Arttu Alasiurua has established himself as a full-time Liiga player with Kärpät. While his skating continues to have drawbacks, he brings sneaky playmaking and handling skill but has proven he can also succeed in a more defensively-minded role. He'll compete for a role in the bottom-six on this team.

Kasper Halttunen, RW, London Knights (OHL)

San Jose Sharks, 2023 NHL Draft, second round, 36th overall

A fabulous run through last season's OHL playoffs and Memorial Cup proved Kasper Halttunen as one of the league's most talented goal-scorers. Possessing one of the best one-timers in the tournament, Halttunen's all-around game has also taken steps since last year's tournament, becoming a more diverse attacker through playmaking improvements. Expect him to play top line minutes and be the focal point of the top power play unit. 

Konsta Helenius, C, Rochester Americans (AHL)

Buffalo Sabres, 2024 NHL Draft, first round, 14th overall

With Konsta Helenius being allowed to attend by the Sabres, Finland has a legitimate No. 1 centre for the first time in years. While he's yet to blow the doors off with his play in the AHL, Helenius should be able to drive play on both ends of the ice through his strong two-way presence and habits. He's set to play with Halttunen or one of the team's other quality snipers, which means a prime opportunity to flex his chops as a playmaker, too.

Emil Hemming, RW, Barrie Colts (OHL)

Dallas Stars, 2024 NHL Draft, first round, 29th overall

While Emil Hemming's first OHL season hasn't been fireworks, he's recently started to find his footing on the smaller ice and the points are slowly following. Much like Halttunen, he's a gifted shooter and possible one-timer threat on the power play, but also has complementary skills through his defensive work rate, physicality and constantly-improving passing game. He should be set to play top-nine minutes on this team.

Topias Hynninen, C/LW, Jukurit (Liiga)

2025 NHL Draft (re-entry)

One of the most improved players on the team, Topias Hynninen has emerged as a legitimate top-line Liiga forward in his draft-minus-one season. Capable of playing both down the middle or on the wing, Hynninen brings a lot of versatility to the lineup. His quickness makes him an excellent forechecker, in addition to his playmaking and transition game having translated from the juniors to the pros this season. Penciled in for a top-nine gig on this team, a big tournament would do wonders to his chances of getting drafted next summer.

Jesse Kiiskinen, RW, HPK (Liiga)

Detroit Red Wings (via trade), 2023 NHL Draft, third round, 68th overall

Jesse Kiiskinen's move to a smaller Liiga team last summer has proven to be the right call. Having the highest points-per-game mark among all U20 skaters in the league, he thrives in creating rush chances from counter-attacks and brings a lot of energy and pace to the lineup. Playmaking isn't his strongest suit, but improvements are made little by little. Another gifted finisher, he'll be competing with Hemming for a spot on the left flank of the second power play unit. 

Rasmus Kumpulainen, C, Pelicans (Liiga)

Minnesota Wild, 2023 NHL Draft, second round, 53rd overall

Having moved back to Finland to play professional hockey after a year in the OHL, Rasmus Kumpulainen hasn't really yet lived up to the hype this season. Still, he should be a lock to centre one of the top-nine lines at this tournament. While the feet are still a problem, Kumpulainen brings defensive reliability while also being more than capable of creating looks for himself through his hands and potting goals from the net-front on the man-advantage. A good tournament here could serve as much-needed boost for the rest of the season.

Tom Leppä, C, Michigan Tech (NCAA)

2025 NHL Draft (re-entry)

The only selected player from the NCAA circuit, Tom Leppä hasn't scored much as a freshman, but his reliable style has made him to average close to 15 minutes per night on a decent Michigan Tech team. If Leppä ends up making this team, it'll very likely be as the fourth-line centre who'll also be tasked to play on the penalty kill. And given how Team Finland likes to structure the bottom-end of their lineup, his defence-first mentality could be valued highly by the coaching staff.

Julius Miettinen, C/LW, Everett Silvertips (WHL)

Seattle Kraken, 2024 NHL Draft, second round, 40th overall

One of the highest draft picks on the roster, Julius Miettinen hasn't seen a big scoring bump since his draft year, but he brings a lot of qualities to this lineup that it would otherwise lack. A big-bodied forward who can create space for his teammates, win battles along the wall and find scoring opportunities away fro the puck, Miettinen should be able to provide secondary scoring while taking care of the business defensively. It's going to come down to him or Hynninen to fill out the remaining centre spot, though there should still be space for both in the top-nine.

Jesse Nurmi, LW, London Knights (OHL)

New York Islanders, 2023 NHL Draft, fourth round, 113rd overall

After an injury-ridden draft-plus-one season, Jesse Nurmi made the move to the London Knights for this year. While he's had trouble finding ice time higher in the lineup, his prior international pedigree should serve him well when the coaching staff is deciding the lineup. The leading scorer for Finland at the most recent World Junior Summer Showcase, Nurmi brings energy on the forecheck but also has soft skill through his vision.

Benjamin Rautiainen, LW, Tappara (Liiga)

2025 NHL Draft (re-entry)

One of the best rookies in Liiga this year, Benjamin Rautiainen has managed to establish a full-time top-nine role in one of the top teams in the league. Equally skilled as finding openings as a playmaker and finishing chances from mid-range, Rautiainen has added more two-way finesse on top of his opportunistic style. He's a strong competitor for a top-nine role on this team, and a big tournament could even earn him some hype as an over-ager for the 2025 draft.

Heikki Ruohonen, C, Dubuque Fighting Saints (USHL)

Philadelphia Flyers, 2024 NHL Draft, fourth round, 107th overall

If Leppä is one of the two major candidates to serve as the fourth-line centre on this team, Heikki Ruohonen is the other one. The Harvard commit has yet to take off scoring-wise in the USHL, but his motor and physicality down the middle could be an enticing package for the coaching staff. And if needed, Ruohonen could potentially bring more secondary scoring power compared to Leppä, too. That being said, it's also possible that he ends up being the final cut from this roster.

Joona Saarelainen, LW/C, KalPa (Liiga)

Tampa Bay Lightning, 2024 NHL Draft, fifth round, 149th overall

Having bounced between Liiga and the U20 league for the first half of the season, Joona Saarelainen is another fourth-line candidate on this roster. While diminutive in stature, he plays with a lot of pace and his quickness combined with physical sturdiness makes him a noteworthy threat on the forecheck. His inside-driven mentality and craftiness as a net-front scorer could yield some secondary scoring, too.

Tuomas Uronen, RW/LW, Kingston Frontenacs (OHL)

Vegas Golden Knights, 2023 NHL Draft, sixth round, 192nd overall

Tuomas Uronen has bounced back in a big way after injuries ruined his first OHL season. One of the leading scorers for the Kingston Frontenacs, Uronen has shown more prowess as a shooter in addition to his usual strengths as a methodical playmaker and an intelligent play-driver. Based on his skill set and the season he's having, he should be good for a top-nine role on this team, but the coaching staff might prefer players who have been able to showcase more internationally. 

Roope Vesterinen, LW, HPK (Liiga)

2025 NHL Draft (re-entry)

If you would've told me after last season that Roope Vesterinen would not only make this team but be in a competition for a top-nine role, I wouldn't have believed you. After a struggle-heavy draft year, Vesterinen has taken a massive step forward this season, producing well and putting up strong underlying results in a top-nine Liiga role. His quickness and high-pace style could also make him fit for a fourth-line gig on this team.

Defencemen:

Mitja Jokinen, D, TPS (Liiga)

2025 NHL Draft (re-entry)

If Mitja Jokinen was a few inches taller, he would've been a mid-round pick in the previous draft. Given his intelligence and puck-moving prowess, it's not surprising that he's been able to establish himself as a full-time Liiga contributor as early as this season. The pace and physicality of the North American teams might give Jokinen some trouble defensively, but he should be able to handle the forechecking pressure with the puck more gracefully than most.

Kalle Kangas, D, HPK (Liiga)

Pittsburgh Penguins, 2023 NHL Draft, seventh round, 223rd overall

One of the two returning defenders from last year's team, Kalle Kangas is set for a sizeable increase in his duties. Having logged full-time Liiga minutes with HPK this season, Kangas brings some much-needed size and physical edge to Finland's blueline, and at his best, he can also contribute as a puck-mover. It remains to be seen how he can handle the forechecking pressure and whether he can keep up defensively against the top teams. 

Aron Kiviharju, D, HIFK (Liiga)

Minnesota Wild, 2024 NHL Draft, fourth round, 122nd overall

Already having been amongst the final cuts from the 2023 team, Aron Kiviharju will finally make his World Juniors debut in this tournament. While Kiviharju's status as a prospect has taken a significant dive over the past year and a half, he should still be well-equipped for a good showing here given how his game has trended over the past few months. Even while a lack of quickness might hinder his effectiveness, at his best, Kiviharju can still be a wizard in transition and should be the favourite to quarterback Finland's top power play unit from the point. 

Daniel Nieminen, D, Pelicans (Liiga)

2025 NHL Draft (re-entry)

Daniel Nieminen's mobility and offensive flashes made him one of our favourite sleepers in last year's class. While he ended up going undrafted, Nieminen's promising efforts in Liiga this season have put him on the map as an over-ager to watch. While an injury suffered a few weeks ago doesn't make his preparation ideal, his skating and active style should serve him well on the smaller surface. If healthy, expect him to play decent minutes on this team.

Emil Pieniniemi, D, Kingston Frontenacs (OHL)

Pittsburgh Penguins, 2023 NHL Draft, third round, 91st overall

The other returning defenceman from last year's team, Emil Pieniniemi's move from Liiga to OHL has proven to be just what the doctor ordered. He's getting to experiment more offensively and the results have followed, currently sitting near the top of the OHL scoring among defencemen. Also capable of creating breakups on top of his own blue line and providing a physical edge, Pieniniemi should be tasked with big minutes throughout the event, especially in the deciding games.

Sebastian Soini, D, Ilves (Liiga)

Minnesota Wild, 2024 NHL Draft, fifth round, 140th overall

Maybe the most surprising selection on this defence group, Sebastian Soini was absent from the previous U18s and was injured for a month and a half before returning to action just in time for this tournament. As a smooth-skating and big-bodied blueliner, Soini does bring some desireable qualities to a relatively small defence. His decision-making has been an issue in the past, but if he shows growth on that front, he could end up creeping into a bigger role.

Arttu Tuhkala, D, Luleå HF J20 (J20 Nationell)

2025 NHL Draft (re-entry)

The only player on the team not playing in either Finland or North America, Arttu Tuhkala has been splitting time between the SHL and the J20 league. Somewhat of a late bloomer who made his national team debut last season, Tuhkala is another undersized puck-mover who moves relatively well and has an offensive flair to his game. He'll likely be competing for a bottom-pairing role on this roster.

Veeti Väisänen, D, Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)

Utah Hockey Club, 2024 NHL Draft, third round, 96th overall

A jump from Liiga to the WHL has proven to be a bit trickier than expected for Veeti Väisänen. A third-round pick from last summer, his production is slowly picking up, but it's the defensive side of his game that allowed him to make this team. A smooth skater who can win retrievals and cover quicker forwards with his skating, Väisänen is also among the more physical defenders on this roster. 

Goalies:

Petteri Rimpinen, G, Kiekko-Espoo (Liiga)

2025 NHL Draft (re-entry)

One of the bigger stories of the ongoing Liiga season has been Petteri Rimpinen's emergence as a top-flight Liiga goalie in his rookie season. Stealing the starting role with Kiekko-Espoo early in the season, Rimpinen has been subjected to a very heavy workload that he's been able to manage very impressively. As such, he should have the inside track to being Finland's starter at this tournament. A big performance here could also go a long way in him earning a selection in the 2025 draft after getting passed last summer – largely due to his inadequate size.

Kim Saarinen, G, HPK (Liiga)

Seattle Kraken, 2024 NHL Draft, third round, 88th overall

Kim Saarinen has had a decent first half with HPK, posting a .896 save percentage in 14 Liiga games. He has a strong track record at the under-18 level, but has been more unproven at the under-20 stage, and will have a chance to potentially steal some minutes in this tournament. The big goalie moves well, reads plays, and there's some intrigue long-term for him from Seattle. 

Noa Vali, G, TPS (Liiga)

2025 NHL Draft (re-entry)

Having played two games at last year's tournament, Noa Vali is the only returning goalie from last year. Many times this would mean that he's the front-runner for this year's starting position, but being in the middle of a weaker season and having the other two options performing better in league play could leave Vali outside of the lineup.