Last season, 16-year-old Oscar Hemming was the top scorer in Finland’s top U-18 league with 63 points in 31 games for Kiekko Espoo. He also had 19 points in 31 U-20 games. That makes him one of the most dangerous offensive players on the Finnish team at this year’s Hlinka Gretzky Cup and he demonstrated that in the team’s opener against Canada, recording a goal and an assist in the team’s 5-3 loss.

“It was pretty fast-paced,” he said. “The Canadians turned the puck pretty well and I think we had our chances too but they scored more goals. But I think we’re gonna get hot soon, so we’re gonna play better.”

With the team trailing 2-0 in the first period, Hemming got the Finns on the board late in the first period – a goal he describes in the video.

“(Oliver) Suvanto’s a big guy and I knew he was going to rush the net,” Hemming smiled. “It was basically a 2-on-2 and I went to the back post and screamed as hard as I could and then he passed to me. An easy goal.”

In the game, the Finns went 0-for-5 on the power play. Hemming did assist on Vilho Vanhatalo’s goal, which came just three seconds after the expiration of a Canadian penalty to cut the deficit to 4-3 with 3:45 remaining. He acknowledged the team’s difficulties against Canada but isn’t too worried.

“We need to get the first two or three passes to calm down a bit and I think it will start falling (into place) after that,” said Hemming.

Canada Edges Finland, Sweden Wins Big In Hlinka Gretzky Cup Openers Ethan Belchetz had three points and defensemen Keaton Verhoeff and Ryan Lin had two points each, leading Canada to a 5-3 opening-day victory over Finland at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup’s Group A in Brno, Czechia.

Hemming’s older brother Emil was a first-round pick of the Dallas Stars in 2024. Emil spent last season playing for the OHL’s Barrie Colts. Despite being two years younger, 6-foot-4 Oscar already has a height advantage on 6-foot-2 Emil.

“He has a better shot and those things, but I think I have the physicality advantage and a better hockey IQ than him,” Hemming smirked.

As to the strengths of his game, Hemming, who turns 17 on Wednesday, said, “I think the size advantage and how I use it, and I think my shot is pretty good too, so I try to use it as much as I can.”

Finland’s Roster For 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup Finland’s roster for this summer’s Hlinka Gretzky Cup does not feature any returnees from last year’s team but two defensemen played at the IIHF U-18 World Championships: Juho Piiparinen and Samu Alalauri. As well, Max Laatikainen played some games with the U-18 national team last season.