While the group stage of the World Juniors gets underway tomorrow, several European nations are also in action at the U18 Five Nations tournament. The event is being held in Zuchwil, Switzerland, with Finland joined by the host nation as well as Czechia, Germany, and Slovakia. From the most recent U18 tournament in November [https://thehockeynews.com/international/latest-news/sweden-wins-both-the-u18-and-u20-five-nations], the Finnish roster has undergone significant rotation, with only eight players returning for this event. Among the notable absences are top prospects Oliver Suvanto and Juho Piiparinen, who are competing at the World Juniors. One of the players drawing significant attention ahead of the draft is defenseman Samu Alalauri, ranked 40th by The Hockey News draft analyst Tony Ferrari in December [https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/2026-nhl-draft-rankings-ferrari-s-top-50-before-the-world-juniors]. Alalauri is an offensively inclined blueliner with good size at 6-foot-2. He has shown flashes of offensive flair, but consistency will be key if he’s going to push himself higher up draft boards. Alalauri missed the U18 Five Nations tournament in Sweden in November due to injury. He returned shortly thereafter to Finland’s U20 league, where he’s produced five goals and 17 points in 25 games. Also on the roster are four players born in 2009: defenseman Roni Kuukasjärvi and forwards Paavo Fugleberg, Miska Liljeberg, and Luca Santala. They won’t be draft-eligible until 2027 and 2028, but strong performances at the Five Nations tournament and over the rest of the spring could put them in the mix for spots on Finland’s U18 World Championship roster. TEAM FINLAND ROSTER FOR THE U18 FIVE NATIONS TOURNAMENT IN SWITZERLAND GOALTENDERS Pyry Lammi, Ässät Pori Aarni Riihimäki, JYP Jyväskylä DEFENSEMEN Samu Alalauri, Pelicans Lahti Roni Kuukasjärvi, Ilves Tampere Mikael Niskanen, KalPa Kuopio Jonne Parkkali, HIFK Helsinki Maxim Saarimäki, Ässät Pori Joel Tarvainen, KalPa Kuopio Vilmeri Väänänen, Jokerit Helsinki FORWARDS Paavo Fugleberg, TPS Turku Oiva Juntunen, KooKoo Kouvola Luukas Jurvelin, Kärpät Oulu Max Järventie, Tappara Tampere Janne Karassaari, Kärpät Oulu Tino Kossila, Jokerit Helsinki Miska Liljeberg, Ilves Tampere Rasmus Miilunpohja, KalPa Kuopio Ilari Mäkinen, HPK Hämeenlinna Noel Pakarinen, Kiekko-Espoo Luca Santala, Kiekko-Espoo Miko Vatjus, Lukko Rauma Atte Vuori, Kiekko-Espoo Finland to Host 2028 World Juniors [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/a8a633ad-9316-4696-bbb7-bb42eb7ec689.jpeg] Finland to Host 2028 World Juniors Finland will host the 2028 IIHF World Junior Championship in Tampere and Turku, the nation’s first time hosting the tournament since 2016. [https://thehockeynews.com/international/latest-news/finland-to-host-2028-world-juniors] TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE FRIDAY, 26 DECEMBER 2025 (EST) * 10:00 AM — Germany vs Czech Republic * 1:30 PM — Slovakia vs Switzerland SATURDAY, 27 DECEMBER 2025 (EST) * 9:00 AM — Slovakia vs Finland * 12:30 PM — Czech Republic vs Switzerland SUNDAY, 28 DECEMBER 2025 (EST) * 9:00 AM — Czech Republic vs Slovakia * 12:30 PM — Finland vs Germany MONDAY, 29 DECEMBER 2025 (EST) * 9:00 AM — Germany vs Slovakia * 12:30 PM — Switzerland vs Finland TUESDAY, 30 DECEMBER 2025 (EST) * 9:00 AM — Finland vs Czech Republic * 12:30 PM — Switzerland vs Germany Finland Unveils Preliminary World Juniors Roster [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/971abde8-4034-4b61-8962-9cfcef3dae3b.jpeg] Finland Unveils Preliminary World Juniors Roster Finland has announced its preliminary roster for the 2026 World Juniors. Eleven players return from last year’s team in the group selected for the tournament in Minnesota. [https://thehockeynews.com/international/latest-news/finland-unveils-preliminary-world-juniors-roster]
