Tuomaala, Lambert headline Finland’s U18 roster
Samu Tuomaala, a top prospect for the 2021 NHL Draft, has been named to the final Team Finland roster for the upcoming 2021 IIHF World Under-18 Hockey Championship.
The tournament runs from April 26 to May 6 in Frisco and Plano, Texas.
Tuomaala leads the pack for the team after spending most of his season in the U20 SM-sarja with Karpat U20, collecting 31 points (15 goals, 16 assists) in 30 games, adding four points (one goal, three assists) in five playoff games. The forward also dressed for five Liiga games with Karpat, Finland’s top league. Tuomaala was ranked No. 38 in FCHockey’s Winter ranking.
Along with Tuomaala, top 2022-eligible Brad Lambert will be looking to lead the pack after a strong performance at the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship, collecting four points (one goal, three assists) in the seven games. He’s spent his entire season in the Liiga with JYP this season, collecting 15 points (seven goals, eight assists) in 46 games.
Overall, five players ranked inside FCHockey’s top-100 Winter ranking have made the roster, including Tuomaala, Oliver Kapanen (43), Samu Salminen (53), Jimi Suomi (72), and Verner Miettinen (74).
Roster
Goaltenders: Juuso Helomaa, Aku Koskenvuo, Jani Lampinen
Defensemen: Kalle Ervasti, Aleksi Heimosalmi, Kasper Kulonummi, Tomi Leppanen, Viljami Juusola, Aleksi Malinen, Jimi Suomi, Topias Vilen
Forwards: Niko Huuhtanen, Juho Jarvela, Oliver Kapanen, Joakim Kemell, Ville Koivunen, Brad Lambert, Miko Matikka, Verner Miettinen, Sami Paivarinta, Rasmus Ruusunen, Samu Salminen, Samu Tuomaala, Kalle Vaisanen, Sisu Yliniemi