The Finnish team that will be competing at the 2018 Hlinka Gretzky Cup consists of two goalies, seven defensemen and 13 forwards. The tournament will be played Aug. 6-11 in Edmonton and Red Deer.
Finnish Junior Hockey’s highest ranked 2019 NHL Draft eligible prospects on the team are forwards Antti Saarela, Henri Nikkanen, Leevi Aaltonen, Patrik Puistola and defenseman Ville Heinola, in this order. However, Kaapo Kakko, the clear-cut top draft eligible Finn, will be absent as he is currently with the U20 national team at the World Junior Summer Showcase.
Moreover, there are a few intriguing names for the 2020 draft. We have featured 2002 born Tappara forward Kasper Simontaival (article) and HIFK defenseman Christoffer Sedoff (player profile) – both are remarkably talented players. Anton Lundell is already a rather complete center prospect who thinks the game extremely well. Don’t sleep on Arttu Tuomaala either, the late 2001 showcased flashes of high-level skill and hockey sense in our viewings last season.