Breaking Down Finland and Sweden's 2024 World Juniors Rosters

Team Finland revealed its preliminary roster on Tuesday, while Team Sweden's roster announced last week looks all set for the 2024 World Juniors in Gothenburg. Tony Ferrari gives his initial reactions.

The world juniors are set to kick off in two weeks, and the traditional European powers have released their rosters. 

The host, Sweden, released what should be their final roster with no cuts needing to be made. Team Finland, on the other hand will have to cut two players, likely one forward and one defender.

The Swedes come in as one of the favorites to win gold at the world juniors, as they boast some of the best talent up front and on the back end. They will have nine returning players, which should help them defend home ice and give them an edge over other top squads. 

Leo Carlsson, the Anaheim Ducks' second overall pick in the 2023 NHL draft, will not be on the team as he is in the NHL and will not be loaned out. They will, however, feature nine first-round picks on the roster.

Sweden’s strong blueline will star Detroit Red Wings first-rounder Axel Sandin Pellikka and San Jose Sharks’ second-rounder Mattias Havelid. Sharks’ first-rounder Filip Bystedt leads a forward group that includes Vancouver Canucks prospect Jonathan Lekkerimaki and Buffalo Sabres prospect Noah Ostlund.

Coach Magnus Havelid returns from last year’s team after finishing fourth in last year’s IIHF World Junior Championship. He has previously coached Sweden to a gold medal at the Under-18 World Championship in 2019 and 2022.

Team Finland will be a feisty group as they always are, looking to bring the structure and pro-style hockey they often bring to the world juniors. 

The group is missing Nashville Predators prospect Joakim Kemell, who'll stay in North America and continue to develop in the AHL with the Milwaukee Admirals.

The Finns don’t have the same firepower as the Swedes or other high-end powers, but OHLers Kasper Halttunen and Rasmus Kumpulainen will be leaned on to play big roles. They also feature two 2024 NHL draft-eligible forwards in possible top-10 pick Konsta Helenius and potential first-rounder Emil Hemming.

In net, the Finns have Niklas Kokko, Eemil Vinni and Noa Vali. While Kokko was on last year's roster, he didn't see any playing time. All three goalies could have a shot at seeing action at the annual under-20 tournament.

Lauri Mikkola leads the coaching staff that will be tasked with making the final two cuts after pre-tournament games against Slovakia on Dec. 19 and Czechia on Dec. 21. Finland opens the tournament against reigning gold medal winners, Canada, which should be a good test for both clubs.

Goaltenders

Hugo Havelid

Kevin Reidler

Melker Thelin

Defense

Mattias Havelid

Anton Johansson

Jakob Noren

Elias Pettersson

Elias Salomonsson

Axel Sandin Pellikka

Tom Willander

Forwards

Isac Born

Filip Bystedt

David Edstrom

Zeb Forsfjall

Jonathan Lekkerimaki

Oskar Pettersson

Rasmus Rudslatt

Otto Stenberg

Felix Unger Sorum

Fabian Wagner

Anton Wahlberg

Liam Ohgren

Noah Ostlund

Goaltenders

Eemil Vinni

Niklas Kokko

Noa Vali

Defense

Veeti Vaisanen

Otto Salin

Arttu Karki

Kasper Kulonummi

Emil Pieniniemi

Joona Vaisanen

Kalle Kangas

Jesse Pukkinen

Forwards

Rasmus Kumpulainen

Konsta Helenius

Oiva Keskinen

Samu Bau

Kasper Halttunen

Jesse Kiiskinen

Aleksanteri Kaskimaki

Max Koskipirtti

Jere Lassila

Lenni Hameenaho

Emil Hemming

Jani Nyman

Tommi Mannisto

Janne Naukkarinen