Kasper Halttunen, Arttu Karki, and Rasmus Kumpulainen have all been named to Finland's World Junior Preliminary Roster
Finland has named their preliminary roster ahead of the 2024 World Juniors, which begins in two weeks.
Three players on this roster are representing the OHL; Kasper Halttunen (LDN), Arttu Karki (SOO), and Rasmus Kumpulainen (OSH).
Finland only has two cuts to make — one forward and one defence — which raises these player's chances of making the team.
London Knights sharp-shooting winger Kasper Halttunen is one of the best players on this roster, and arguably one of the best forwards in the tournament.
He currently has 20 goals through 28 games with London, and has proven himself to be one of the better goal scorers in the OHL.
Halttunen scores a large majority of his goals off of the one-timer from the left circle. His shot power is through the roof, and he uses the one-timer quite often.
The San Jose Sharks first round pick should be the go-to guy offensively for Finland's team.
Another one of the OHL's top sharp shooters, Arttu Karki has had a remarkable season from the blue line for the Soo Greyhounds.
Karki began the season almost a goal-per-game, but now he has seemed to come back down to earth a little bit. He has 16 goals through 30 games, and has been a constant weapon from the point.
The Vegas Golden Knights prospect is one of the top defenders on this roster, and will likely be a staple on their powerplay. Karki typically plays the flank in the Soo, where he powers shots from his off-wing.
A combination of Halttunen and Karki on either wing on the powerplay seems very possible.
Oshawa Generals winger Rasmus Kumpulainen has quietly had a very good season in the OHL. He is a point-per-game, and has likely been Oshawa's most consistent forward.
He was selected in the second round of the 2023 NHL Draft by the Minnesota Wild.
Kumpulainen represented Finland at the U18's back in the spring, and will have the opportunity to wear the blue and white once again at the World Juniors.
The speedy winger will be a definite asset to Finland's offence, and could balance out a pure goal-scorer like Halttunen very well.