Finland announced on Saturday the group of 26 players that its taking to Canada for the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship in Ottawa.

The list includes many who have represented the team at U-20 tournaments in Europe this autumn, augmented by 10 players who are based in North America. Only 22 of them will be on the final tournament roster.

Finnish-based players who have been drafted by NHL teams include goaltender Kim Saarinen (Seattle Kraken), defensemen Aron Kiviharju, Sebastian Soini (both Minnesota Wild) and Kalle Kangas (Pittsburgh Penguins), and forward Jesse Kiiskinen (Nashville Predators). It does not include Eerik Wallenius (Ottawa Senators), Janne Peltonen (Chicago Blackhawks) or Emil Järventie (Pittsburgh).

“We have a good team with great potential,” said head coach Lauri Mikkola. “All three goaltenders have played strongly in the Liiga, and many of the other players have also made breakthroughs in the Liiga and taken on a role for their own team at 5-on-5 and on special teams.”

The players based in North America, include players in Canadian and U.S. junior hockey, U.S. collegiate player Tom Leppä, and Buffalo Sabres prospect Konsta Helenius, who plays in the NHL. Other drafted players include Emil Hemming (Dallas Stars), Kasper Halttunen (San Jose Sharks), Jesse Nurmi (New York Islanders), and Tuomas Uronen (Vegas Golden Knights). It does not include Markus Loponen (Winnipeg Jets).

“The team has an exceptional number of players from North America, who bring us offensive firepower and special-teams skills. They are also familiar with playing the game on the small rink.

“I have a confident feeling about this group.”

The team meets in Helsinki on Sunday and flies to Canada on Monday morning. The Finns will play pre-tournament games against Slovakia on Dec. 20 against Slovakia and on Dec. 23 against the USA. Finland opens the tournament on Dec. 26 against host Canada.

Goaltenders:
Rimpinen Petteri, Kiekko-Espoo
Saarinen Kim, HPK Hämeenlinna (Seattle Kraken)
Vali Noa, TPS Turku

Defensemen:
Jokinen Mitja, TPS Turku
Kangas Kalle, HPK Hämeenlinna (Pittsburgh Penguins)
Kiviharju Aron, IFK Helsinki (Minnesota Wild)
Nieminen Daniel, Pelicans Lahti
Pieniniemi Emil, Kingston Frontenacs OHL
Soini Sebastian, Ilves Tampere (Minnesota Wild)
Tuhkala Arttu, Luleå HF
Väisänen Veeti, Medicine Hat Tigers WHL

Forwards:
Alasiurua Arttu, Kärpät Oulu
Halttunen Kasper, London Knights OHL (San Jose Sharks)
Helenius Konsta, Rochester Americans AHL (Buffalo Sabres)
Hemming Emil, Barrie Colts OHL (Dallas Stars)
Hynninen Topias, Jukurit Mikkeli
Kiiskinen Jesse, HPK Hämeenlinna (Nashville Predators)
Kumpulainen Rasmus, Pelicans Lahti (Minnesota Wild)
Leppä Tom, Michigan Tech Huskies NCAA
Miettinen Julius, Everett Silvertips WHL
Nurmi Jesse, London Knights OHL (New York Islanders)
Rautiainen Benjamin, Tappara Tampere
Ruohonen Heikki, Dubuque Fighting Saints USHL
Saarelainen Joona, KalPa Kuopio
Uronen Tuomas, Kingston Frontenacs OHL (Vegas Golden Knights)
Vesterinen Roope, HPK Hämeenlinna