Finland announces the squad for the World Cup, only a few NHL players are included in the squad

Finnish ice hockey team | Photo: Leijonat

The general manager of the Finnish ice hockey team, Jere Lehtinen, has announced the composition of the team for the 2024 World Championship.

“Choosing the final squad is always difficult, because skillful and determined players have to stay out of the squad,” admitted the head coach of the Finnish national team, Jukka Jalonen. “On behalf of the entire management, I can thank the hockey players who participated in the camp, but this time they will not go to the WC.”

Meanwhile, Lehtinen has indicated that there is a possibility that another NHL player will join the team during the tournament. “Of course, we’ll still be keeping an eye on the NHL playoffs. But the beginning is that the named hockey players will play.”

This year’s world hockey championship will take place in the Czech cities of Prague and Ostrava from May 10 to 26. The Finnish team will play in Group A in Prague, where they will compete against teams from Canada, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Denmark, Norway, Austria and Great Britain.

Finland national team

Goalkeepers: Harri Seteri (“EHC Biel-Bienne”, NL), Lassi Lehtinen (“MoDo”, SHL), Emil Larmi (“Lakers”, SHL);

Defenders: Rasmus Rissanen (Orebro, SHL), Olli Matta (Detroit Red Wings, NHL), Mikko Lehtonen (Zurich Lions, NL), Oliver Kaski (HV71, SHL), Willi Sarijervi, Jussi Rykola (both – Langnava “Tigers”, NL), Veli-Mati Vitasmeki (Tampera “Tappara”, Liiga);

Strikers: Jere Innala (“Frolunda HC”, SHL), Juha Jeske, Íro Pakarinen (both – Helsinki “IFK”, Liiga), Konsta Helenius, Patrik Puistola, Peka Jormaka (all – Mikeli “Jukurit”, Liiga), Hannes Bjorninen (” Orebro”, SHL), Jesse Puljujarvi, Valteri Pūstinen (both – Pittsburgh “Penguins”, NHL), Arta Hūra (Oulu “Karpat”, Liiga), Mikael Granlund, (San Jose “Sharks”, NHL), Ahti Oksanen (“IK Oskarshamn”, SHL), Oliver Kapanen (Kuopio “KalPa”, Liiga), Saku Menalanen (Langnavas “Tigers”, NL).