Born: 2000-04-27
Team: Tappara
Position: Defenseman
Shoots: Left
Height / Weight: 5-11 / 170
REPORT: U20 2-NATIONS TOURNAMENT, JULY 23-24, 2018
Utunen went about his business in the two-game set against Czech Republic, playing a stable and reliable game. He thinks the game at a high level both offensively and defensively. He has the ability to jump into the attack if the opportunity arises. He makes an efficient and smart first pass which is easy for the forwards to receive. You seldom see him make a risky play with the puck. He keeps good gap control and has a timely stick to poke pucks away. His skating isn’t elite right now, but he does skate quite well backwards and doesn’t get beaten easily by the oncoming attackers. Utunen’s good tournament earned him a spot on the national team that will compete at the World Junior Summer Showcase in Kamloops.