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Finnish Prospect Update Thread

Pavel Buchnevich said:
Any opinions on Arttu Valila? He was the only 2025 draft eligible on the Finnish WHC17 team, and I thought he showed some good skating and puck moving ability. A little small, but only turned 16 last week.
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Didn't realise he was 2025 elgible. He had few nice plays in the tournament but his quite small and I don't think his that much special. 2025 eligibles Kotajärvi, Saari, Björkenheim, Jussila and Paju are much better.
 
Erikfromfin said:
Didn't realise he was 2025 elgible. He had few nice plays in the tournament but his quite small and I don't think his that much special. 2025 eligibles Kotajärvi, Saari, Björkenheim, Jussila and Paju are much better.
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I’ll trust your opinion then. You know these players better than I do.

The other player I liked that hasn’t gotten much discussion is Akseli Pulkkanen. A little small and maybe lacks high end offensive skills, but I thought he was a good all around center.
 
Finland U16 teams named to Sweden matches and 5-nations tournament in few weeks time
Leijonat - Suomen U16-maajoukkuella on joulukuussa kaksi tapahtumaa – Tässä kokoonpanot molempiin turnauksiin

After the Pohjola and Germany 8-9 games I compiled this list of all the notable talents

2025 Draft Notables
C Jasu Mensonen
C Eetu Orpana
C Aapo Katavisto
C Benjamin Strömberg
C/W Rasmus Kämäräinen
C/W Atte Joki
W Rasmus Baggström
W Max Westergård
W Jere Somervuori
W Veeti Lamponen
W Jasper Inkinen
W Urho Mattila
W Emil Leppälä
D Jesper Kotajärvi
D Julius Saari
D Victor Björkenheim
D Elias Jussila
D Aaron Paju
D Alvar Ervasti
D Luca Laine
G Jooa Sammalniemi
G Kasper Kuusikoski
G Patrik Kerkola

2026 Draft Notable Lateborns
C/W Jeremi Virtanen
D Ossi Tukio
D Tarmo Kostiainen
D Jesse Poussa

So basicly the Sweden game roster is the best possible. Only center Aapo Katavisto and defender Victor Björkenheim missing from both rosters. I think wingers Veeti Lamponen and Emil Leppälä should have been in first team or atleast close to making it. There are other interesting ones like center Aleksi Juusela in team 2 aswell. Ill try muster ranking after these tournaments but Jesper Kotajärvi should be number 1 guy at this point and time.
 
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Hope Westergård makes it to NHL just so the North-Americans can enjoy trying to figure out å.

Haven't really been following anyone. I don't think I saw anyone super talented in my checks some time back. If Kotajärvi is the top talent then it seems like there are no superstars at this point, but anything can happen.
 
ijuka said:
Hope Westergård makes it to NHL just so the North-Americans can enjoy trying to figure out å.
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He's going to Frölunda juniors next season. If he plays good in Frölunda chances to make NHL will be pretty big.
 
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Kärpät seems to produce one national team goalie in every age group now. Both Myllykangas and Vedenpää look like the same mold of big goalies like Blomqvist, Kokko, Annunen and Meriläinen. Wish we would have same level of goalie devopment elsewhere also.
 
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How is Kulonummi doing these days?
I thought he would’ve been on the WJC roster, especially seeing Salin there. Was way more impressed by Kulonummi at least in the u18 tournament.

Any insights?
 
Midseason ranking

2023 Draft
1. Kasper Halttunen W
2. Lenni Hämeenaho W
3. Rasmus Kumpulainen C
4. Jesse Kiiskinen W
5. Jesse Nurmi W
6. Emil Järventie W
7. Emil Pieniniemi D
8. Tuomas Uronen W
9. Emil Kuusla W
10. Arttu Kärki D
11. Niko Minkkinen D
12. Tom Leppä C
13. Noa Vali G
14. Janne Peltonen D
15. Kalle Kangas D
16. Visa Vedenpää G
17. Niklas Talvikunnas D
18. Jimi Junkkari D
19. Arttu Alasiurua C/W
20. Benjamin Rautiainen C/W

2024 Draft
1. Aron Kiviharju D
2. Konsta Helenius C/W
3. Eemil Vinni G
4. Veeti Väisänen D
5. Joona Saarelainen C/W
6. Niilopekka Muhonen D
7. Roope Vesterinen W
8. Sebastian Soini D
9. Emil Hemming W
10. Tuomas Suoniemi C
11. Topias Hynninen C/W
12. Julius Miettinen C/W
13. Petteri Rimpinen G
14. Niklas Nykyri D
15. Joonas Paqvalin W
16. Eelis Marila D
17. Natan Teshome C/W
18. Maxim Eliseev W
19. Kim Saarinen G

2025 Draft
1. Eetu Orpana C
2. Jasu Mensonen C
3. Jesper Kotajärvi D
4. Aaron Paju D
5. Rasmus Kämäräinen C/W
6. Max Westergård W
7. Julius Saari D
8. Rasmus Baggström W
9. Atte Joki C/W
10. Victor Björkenheim D
11. Aapo Katavisto C
12. Jere Somervuori W
13. Elias Jussila D
14. Benjamin Strömberg C
15. Veeti Lamponen W
16. Arttu Välilä D
 
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Topias Hynninen has 2 goals in 9 games with Jukurit so far as a D-1 player. Not quite ready to be a full time Liiga player, but he's close. Looked quite good at times. Excited to see what him and Helenius do next season!
 
Lassi Alanen comments on next 2 drafts
Missä Suomen tähdet? Asiantuntijalta karu arvio tulevasta NHL-draftista
Agree with most there. Maybe just maybe someone likes Kumpulainen big twoway center physically dominant against peers and surprisingly good hands could go last picks in first round. Unrealistic but not impossible in my oppinion. Would have also added Vinni and Soini to the "potential" 24 picks list but no complaints there
 
Halttunen first ranked Finn in McKenzie's rankings at 29. Entirely possible that there won't be a Finnish first round pick in this year's draft. Past few drafts have been quite poor for Finland. I really hope 2024 draft is a lot better.
 
Erikfromfin said:
Midseason ranking

2023 Draft
1. Kasper Halttunen W
2. Lenni Hämeenaho W
3. Rasmus Kumpulainen C
4. Jesse Kiiskinen W
5. Jesse Nurmi W
6. Emil Järventie W
7. Emil Pieniniemi D
8. Tuomas Uronen W
9. Emil Kuusla W
10. Arttu Kärki D
11. Niko Minkkinen D
12. Tom Leppä C
13. Noa Vali G
14. Janne Peltonen D
15. Kalle Kangas D
16. Visa Vedenpää G
17. Niklas Talvikunnas D
18. Jimi Junkkari D
19. Arttu Alasiurua C/W
20. Benjamin Rautiainen C/W

2024 Draft
1. Aron Kiviharju D
2. Konsta Helenius C/W
3. Eemil Vinni G
4. Veeti Väisänen D
5. Joona Saarelainen C/W
6. Niilopekka Muhonen D
7. Roope Vesterinen W
8. Sebastian Soini D
9. Emil Hemming W
10. Tuomas Suoniemi C
11. Topias Hynninen C/W
12. Julius Miettinen C/W
13. Petteri Rimpinen G
14. Niklas Nykyri D
15. Joonas Paqvalin W
16. Eelis Marila D
17. Natan Teshome C/W
18. Maxim Eliseev W
19. Kim Saarinen G

2025 Draft
1. Eetu Orpana C
2. Jasu Mensonen C
3. Jesper Kotajärvi D
4. Aaron Paju D
5. Rasmus Kämäräinen C/W
6. Max Westergård W
7. Julius Saari D
8. Rasmus Baggström W
9. Atte Joki C/W
10. Victor Björkenheim D
11. Aapo Katavisto C
12. Jere Somervuori W
13. Elias Jussila D
14. Benjamin Strömberg C
15. Veeti Lamponen W
16. Arttu Välilä D
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What about Aapo Vanninen? Oliver Torkki?
 
Svedu said:
What about Aapo Vanninen? Oliver Torkki?
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It's early ranking Vanninen hasn't left memorable impression the games ive seen. Orpana has almost same points with 11 less games played in U16SM. Most of the guys I listed are already playing U18SM also. Torkki is 2008 born I'll look into those guys in autumn.
 
Erikfromfin said:
Midseason ranking

2023 Draft
1. Kasper Halttunen W
2. Lenni Hämeenaho W
3. Rasmus Kumpulainen C
4. Jesse Kiiskinen W
5. Jesse Nurmi W
6. Emil Järventie W
7. Emil Pieniniemi D
8. Tuomas Uronen W
9. Emil Kuusla W
10. Arttu Kärki D
11. Niko Minkkinen D
12. Tom Leppä C
13. Noa Vali G
14. Janne Peltonen D
15. Kalle Kangas D
16. Visa Vedenpää G
17. Niklas Talvikunnas D
18. Jimi Junkkari D
19. Arttu Alasiurua C/W
20. Benjamin Rautiainen C/W

2024 Draft
1. Aron Kiviharju D
2. Konsta Helenius C/W
3. Eemil Vinni G
4. Veeti Väisänen D
5. Joona Saarelainen C/W
6. Niilopekka Muhonen D
7. Roope Vesterinen W
8. Sebastian Soini D
9. Emil Hemming W
10. Tuomas Suoniemi C
11. Topias Hynninen C/W
12. Julius Miettinen C/W
13. Petteri Rimpinen G
14. Niklas Nykyri D
15. Joonas Paqvalin W
16. Eelis Marila D
17. Natan Teshome C/W
18. Maxim Eliseev W
19. Kim Saarinen G

2025 Draft
1. Eetu Orpana C
2. Jasu Mensonen C
3. Jesper Kotajärvi D
4. Aaron Paju D
5. Rasmus Kämäräinen C/W
6. Max Westergård W
7. Julius Saari D
8. Rasmus Baggström W
9. Atte Joki C/W
10. Victor Björkenheim D
11. Aapo Katavisto C
12. Jere Somervuori W
13. Elias Jussila D
14. Benjamin Strömberg C
15. Veeti Lamponen W
16. Arttu Välilä D
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Do you think that 2024 Draft group of defenseman could be the best from Finland in awhile?

On paper it seems like a lot of those guys are having really good -1 seasons.
 
Final ranking. Finished season with juniors.

2023 Draft

1. Kasper Halttunen W
2. Lenni Hämeenaho W
3. Rasmus Kumpulainen C
4. Jesse Kiiskinen W
5. Jesse Nurmi W
6. Emil Kuusla W
7. Noa Vali G
8. Visa Vedenpää G
9. Arttu Kärki D
10. Emil Pieniniemi D
11. Emil Järventie W
12. Tuomas Uronen W
13. Janne Peltonen D
14. Benjamin Rautiainen C/W
15. Jimi Junkkari D
HM: Tom Leppä C
HM: Kalle Kangas D
HM: Niklas Talvikunnas D


2024 Draft-1

1. Aron Kiviharju D
2. Konsta Helenius C/W
3. Veeti Väisänen D
4. Niilopekka Muhonen D
5. Eemil Vinni G
6. Joona Saarelainen C/W
7. Emil Hemming W
8. Roope Vesterinen W
9. Sebastian Soini D
10. Petteri Rimpinen G
11. Tuomas Suoniemi C
12. Julius Miettinen C/W
13. Heikki Ruohonen C/W
14. Kim Saarinen G
15. Mitja Jokinen D
HM: Topias Hynninen C/W
HM: Natan Teshome C/W
HM: Joonas Paqvalin W
HM: Maxim Eliseev W
HM: Eelis Marila D
HM: Niklas Nykyri D
HM: Otto Hannikainen G


2025 Draft-2

1. Eetu Orpana C
2. Jesper Kotajärvi D
3. Julius Saari D
4. Rasmus Kämäräinen W
5. Max Westergård W
6. Jasu Mensonen C
7. Aaron Paju D
8. Atte Joki C/W
9. Aapo Vanninen C
10. Jere Somervuori W
11. Victor Björkenheim D
12. Benjamin Strömberg C
13. Atte Uusikartano C
14. Alvar Ervasti D
15. Veeti Ruotsalainen D
HM: Rasmus Baggström W
HM: Veeti Lamponen W
HM: Lasse Boelius D
HM: Jooa Sammalniemi G


2026 Draft-3 Lateborn Notables

- Jeremi Virtanen C/W
- Joonas Rajala W
- Jalmari Melanen W
- Ossi Tukio D
- Tarmo Kostiainen D
 
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Finnish SM liiga, mestis and all junior leagues ( U20, U18, U16 SM sarja's ) sucks ass
and that's now destroying whole junior development system in Finland

It is our hockey associations responsibility to react immediately
and start make drastic changes but unfortunately it won't happen
so long when our men's national team is winning international tournaments.

It is time to wake up to reality and realise SM liiga, mestis
and Finnish junior leagues cannot anymore develop our prospects
so well as should when all Finnish prospects seems to lack skating and all basic hockey skills.

Finnish hockey is going downhill and wrong direction.
Changes are must and heads should drop and all kiss my ass
country-club members and sauna friends and back-washers needs to get all fired.

Liitto lacks real hockey boss who knows his job.
Now have some freaking bank world business management clown.
running our hockey association and all what matters is that everyone has fun
and money comes from doors and windows. This contry-club circus cannot continue any further.
 
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I think I'm looking at players born 99 and later when i'm writing this. Because I still feel like some players like Kupari (2000), Heponiemi (99) and others aren't done. Especially if they still are in NA. The latter having problems with size but never with skill or skating and I feel like he reminds me a lot of American smallish players with quite the talent. Therefor I'm willing to have 1-2 years of extra patience.
Regarding older players in Europe? Perhaps I see a possibility for them becoming good Skoda cup players for us.
I've excluded talents like Lundell and Maccelli and others who could be considered as a done deal in the NHL already.

Liiga: Well, well, let's hope Kiviharju the best and that he can develop in a good way. I will follow him, Helenius, Nyman, Hynninen, Hemming, Huuhtanen, Samu Tuomaala, Bau, Mäntykivi, Jurmo, Aatu Jämsen, Vesterinen, Liukas, Saarelainen, Puhakka, Tuomisto? Simontaival, Malinen, Kulonummi, Jiri Pärssinen, Krannila, Lassila, Topias Vilén, Oliver Kapanen in the Liiga a bit extra.
I hope some of these (older) youngsters can take the next step to NA soon.
I consider seeing Huuhtanen and Nyman playing in the NA as very realistic and certain already, fingers crossed. Possibly Aatu Jämsen as well.

SHL: Sampo Ranta. Oskari Laaksonen, Pajuniemi. I know these are a bit older but they still have a chance of becoming good euro players for Finland at the very least.

NCAA: Matikka, Veeti Miettinen? Tuomisto? Samu Salminen? Joel Määttä?

AHL: Brad Lambert, Kemell, Kinnunen, Thomson, Seppälä, Koivunen, Honka, Viro, Nousiainen, Annunen, Aatu Räty, Aku Räty, Blomqvist, Mäkiniemi, Järventie, Hatakka, Nikkanen? Helenius, Pyyhtiä, Petman, Niemelä, Sedoff, Roni Hirvonen?

NHL: Heinola? Ylönen, Kupari, Heponiemi? Salo (98)? Puustinen? Koivula? Luukkonen?

Which talents are you missing?
Names that are marked are talents that I find a bit more promising and exciting at this very moment.
 
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Finland with 0 first round picks in 2 drafts within 3 years (2021, 2023). Only 1 first rounder in 2020 and 2 in 2022. Time to get worried? Prospect development is bad, leagues are bad. Finnish hockey is in decline right now. Hopefully people in charge in Liitto wake up and start fixing things before it's too late. Maybe time for another Vierumäki conference?
 
Jukurit said:
Finland with 0 first round picks in 2 drafts within 3 years (2021, 2023). Only 1 first rounder in 2020 and 2 in 2022. Time to get worried? Prospect development is bad, leagues are bad. Finnish hockey is in decline right now. Hopefully people in charge in Liitto wake up and start fixing things before it's too late. Maybe time for another Vierumäki conference?
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Why should the FIHA be worried about the NHL? Slightly fewer peanut money for the teams in Finland if prospects get drafted in the later rounds but still end up going to the NHL anyway yes, but other than that it's inconsequential.
 
Albatros said:
Why should the FIHA be worried about the NHL? Slightly fewer peanut money for the teams in Finland if prospects get drafted in the later rounds but still end up going to the NHL anyway yes, but other than that it's inconsequential.
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Erkka Westerlund said this about Vierumäki conference: "We had a big worry that we didn't get NHL first round picks anymore. Our hockey didn't develop good individuals."

link to article (from 2019)
 
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