2017 World Juniors: Finland tries to defend championship with roster of familiar names

The defending champions will come to the 2017 World Junior Championships with a roster of enticing defensive draft prospects and the goalie who led them to gold in 2016.

Team Finland joined Russia and Slovakia in trimming their World Juniors roster to the maximum size of 23 players on Friday. Vancouver Canucks prospect Olli Juolevi, the fourth overall pick in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, will captain the team. The alternates will be Detroit Red Wings defenseman prospect Villi Saarijarvi and Pittsburgh Penguins forward prospect Kasper Björkqvist.

Finland stunned the world last year, beating Canada, Sweden, and Russia in succession to claim their fourth WJC gold in the nation’s history. A few important members of that team return, including goalie Veini Vehvilainen, Björkqvist, Saarijarvi, and Anaheim Ducks prospect Julius Nättinen.

Notably, the 2015 World Juniors was where Finnish forwards Jesse Puljujärvi and Patrik Laine cemented themselves as top-5 picks in the NHL draft. Considering three of Finland’s seven defensemen are projected first round picks, Finland is certainly a must-watch this year as well.

The rest of Finland’s roster follows, along with their current junior teams and their NHL teams.

Kasper Björkqvist (A), Providence College (NCAA), Pittsburgh Penguins prospect

Henrik Borgström, University of Denver (NCAA), Florida Panthers prospect

Otto Koivula, Ilves (Liiga), New York Islanders prospect

Janne Kuokkanen, London Knights (OHL), Carolina Hurricanes prospect

Joona Luoto, Tappara/LeKi (Liiga/Mestis)

Julius Mattila, Boston Bollege (NCAA), 2017 NHL Entry Draft prospect

Julius Nättinen, Windsor Spitfires (OHL), Anaheim Ducks prospect

Petrus Palmu, Owen Sound Attack (OHL), undrafted

Arttu Ruotsalainen, Porin Ässät (Liiga)

Aapeli Räsänen, Sioux City Musketeers (USHL), Edmonton Oilers prospect

Eeli Tolvanen, Sioux City Musketeers (USHL)/committed to Boston College (NCAA) in 2017, top 2017 NHL Entry Draft prospect

Kristian Vesalainen, Frölunda HC (SHL)/HPK (Liiga), top 2017 NHL Entry Draft prospect

Teemu Väyrynen, TPS (Liiga)

Miro Heiskanen, IFK Helsinki (Liiga), top 2017 NHL Entry Draft prospect

Olli Juolevi (C), London Knights (OHL), Vancouver Canucks prospect

Jesper Mattila, Boston College (NCAA)

Juho Rautanen, Jokerit Helsinki (Liiga)

Vili Saarijarvi (A), Mississauga Steelheads (OHL), Detroit Red Wings prospect

Urho Vaakanainen, JYP Jyvaskyla, top 2017 NHL Entry Draft prospect

Juuso Valimaki, Tri-City Americans (WHL), top 2017 NHL Entry Draft prospect

Karolus Kaarlehto, TPS Turku (Liiga)

Markus Ruusu, JYP Jyvaskyla, Dallas Stars prospect

Veini Vehvilainen, JYP Jyvaskyla (Liiga)