Finland's Ronja Savolainen is one of the top defenders in the world, and next season she plans to bring her talents to the PWHL, calling the league "something I've been dreaming about." Coming off a bronze medal at the 2024 IIHF World Championships [https://thehockeynews.com/womens/international/finland-wins-bronze-medal-in-shootout-over-czechia-2024-world-championship#:%7e:text=Finland%20took%20a%203%2D2,York%2C%20winning%20in%20a%20shootout.&text=Czechia%20was%20looking%20for%20their,medal%20since%202021%20in%20Calgary.], Finland is ready to open their 2024-2025 season with the first stop of the revamped Women's Euro Hockey Tour. In preparation for the event, Finland named their 24 player roster. Headlining the roster are Finland's three PWHL players in Ottawa's Ronja Savolainen [https://thehockeynews.com/womens/tag/ronja-savolainen] on the blueline, and forwards Susanna Tapani of Boston and New York's Noora Tulus. Other North American based players set to represent Finland at the event are University of Minnesota blueliners Nelli Laitinen and Krista Parkkonen, and St. Cloud State forward Sofiana Sundelin. Finland also features a large group of standouts from the SDHL. Frölunda leads the way with four players on the roster including defender Sanni Rantala and forwards Michelle Karvinen [https://thehockeynews.com/womens/tag/michelle-karvinen], Elisa Holopainen, and Emilia Vesa. From the reigning SDHL champions Luleå, long time national team captain Jenni Hiirikoski, as well as Petra Nieminen and Viivi Vainikka will also play. Sanni Vanhanen, Jenniina Nylund and Oona Koukkula are all scheduled to play for Brynäs this season, while Kiira Yrjänen and Sini Karjalainen who will play for Lekand and Skellefteå AIK round out those coming from Sweden. Forward Julia Liikala is the lone player coming from the SWHL playing for Ambri-Piotta this season, while the remainder of the roster will play domestically in Naisten Liiga incluing all three of the team's goaltenders - Anni Keisala, Kerttu Kuja-Halkola, and Salla Sivula, defender Nella Berg, and forward Emma Ekoluoma. Notably absent from the roster is Finland's starting netminder from the World Championships, Sanni Ahola, who will play her final season of NCAA hockey this year at St. Cloud State. Finland will open their 2024-2025 Women's Euro Hockey Tour in a bronze medal game rematch against Czechia on August 29.
