Canadian fans who were hoping to see young Aatos Koivu at the junior world championship will be disappointed as Saku’s son was not selected to be part of Finland’s roster for the traditional holiday tournament .
At just 18 years old, the Canadiens’ 2024 third-round pick remains eligible to participate in next year’s edition.
The young center had a good start to the season with TPS Turku in the Finnish League, but missed just over a month due to illness. Koivu had 5 points in 15 games before that, in his first professional season. He is also the only attacker under the age of 20 on his team.
Two of Koivu’s teammates were selected, 18-year-old defenseman Mitja Jokinen, passed over in the last NHL draft, and 19-year-old goaltender Noa Vali.
Guardians
Petteri Rimpinen, Kiekko-Espoo
Kim Saarinen, HPK
Noa Vali, TPS
Defenders
Mitja Jokinen, TPS
Kalle Kangas, HPK
Aron Kiviharju, HIFK
Daniel Nieminen, Pelicans
Emil Pieniniemi, Frontenac de Kingston
Sebastian Soini, Lynx
Arttu Tuhkala, Luleå HF
Veeti Väisänen, Tigers de Medicine Hat
Attackers
Arttu Alasiurua, Kärpät
Kasper Halttunen, Knights de London
Konsta Helenius, Americans de Rochester
Emil Hemming, Colts de Barrie
Topias Hynninen, Jukurit
Jesse Kiiskinen, HPK
Rasmus Kumpulainen, Pelicans
Tom Leppä, Huskies de Michigan Tech
Julius Miettinen, Silvertips d’Everett
Jesse Nurmi, Knights de London
Benjamin Rautiainen, Tappara
Heikki Ruohonen, Fighting Saints de Dubuque
Joona Saarelainen, KalPa
Tuomas Uronen, Frontenacs of Kingston
Roope Vesterinen, HPK
