Finland has produced a number of quality goaltenders in recent years. Joel Blomqvist is the latest goalie down the pipeline. He spent most of the year with Karpat’s junior team in the Finnish Under-20 league, putting up a .931 save percentage in 34 games. Blomqvist also played at the Junior Club World Championships. He even got the opportunity to play two games in Finland’s top men’s league, something rare for a teenage goaltender. Blomqvist also played three games for Finland at the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup, with a .919 save percentage. Considered too advanced for junior teams, Blomqvist has been sent out on loan to Hermes next season. He will play in the Mestis, Finland’s second division for men’s hockey.
Last season Blomqvist helped the Karpat Under-20 team to the Junior League title. He had a .938 save percentage in 11 regular-season games and a .947 save percentage in three playoff games. He also played for the Under-18 team with a .935 save percentage in 19 regular-season games and a .926 save percentage in six playoff games. Blomqvist represented Finland at the Under-17 World Hockey Challenge, playing five games with an .894 save percentage and helping Finland to a silver medal.
Joel Blomqvist Scouting Report: 2020 NHL Draft #61