Mikko Lehtonen, a former Blue Jacket, earns a spot on Finland's Olympic squad, showcasing his resilience and return to international hockey.
Today, some more of the 2026 Men's Olympic Rosters were announced and when it was Finland's time to reveal their, one name stood out.
Former Columbus Blue Jackets' defensemen Mikko Lehtonen was named to Team Finland.
That's right. The former Blue Jackets defensemen, who played 17 games with the club back in 2020-21 has played himself on to a team filled with NHL players.
Lehtonen also played nine games with the Toronto Maple Leafs but was then traded to Columbus on Match 12, 2021 in exchange for goalie Veini Vehvilainen.
After just one season in the NHL, he headed back to overseas and joined the St. Petersburg SKA in the KHL for a season. He then went onto to play for Zurich SC in the Swiss league and that has where he has been ever since.
There's a strong chance that he will be an extra defensemen playing behind the likes of: Miro Heiskanen, Henri Jokiharju, Esa Lundell,Olli Määttä, Nikolas Matinpalo, Niko Mikkola and Rasmus Ristolainen.
Up Next: The Blue Jackets are back home to take on the scorching hot Buffalo Sabres on Saturday.
Stay updated with the most interesting Blue Jackets stories, analysis, breaking news, and more!
Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News and never miss a story.
Let us know what you think below.
For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.
BREAKING NEWS: Zach Werenski Named To 2026 U.S. Men's Olympic Hockey Team
Zach Werenski has 39 games of international experience.
Blue Jackets Place Miles Wood On IR
The Columbus Blue Jackets have placed Miles Wood on Injured Reserve today. He's considered week-to-week per GM Don Waddell.
From THN's Archive: Rick Nash
Nash reflects on his retired number, the unforgettable night honoring his legacy, and the most meaningful goals of his impactful Blue Jackets career.
Blue Jackets Complete Collapse In Third Period Leads To Loss
The Columbus Blue Jackets are now 17-16-6 with 40 points.