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Ville Heinola

NHL Draft Picks Participating In The World Junior Championship

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The 2020 IIHF World Junior Championship is underway from Ostrava and Trinec in the Czech Republic. The tournament began today and will run through the championship game on January 5th. Each of the NHL’s 31 teams has at least one representative at the WJC. Five teams have only one draft pick participating, while the Los Angeles Kings (9) and Arizona Coyotes (7) each have more than those teams combined. However, it only takes one player and one moment to make history at the WJC. Check out which future NHLers will have that chance this year:

Anaheim Ducks (2):

G Lukas Dostal, Czech Republic
F Trevor Zegras, USA

Arizona Coyotes (7):

F Barrett Hayton, Canada
F Jan Jenik, Czech Republic
F Matias Maccelli, Finland
D Aku Raty, Finland
D Victor Soderstrom, Sweden
F Valentin Nussbaumer, Switzerland
D Ty Emberson, USA

Boston Bruins (3):

F Jakub Lauko, Czech Republic
F John Beecher, USA
F Curtis Hall, USA

Buffalo Sabres (4):

F Dylan Cozens, Canada
F Matej Pekar, Czech Republic
G Erik Portillo, Sweden
D Mattias Samuelsson, USA

Calgary Flames (1):

G Dustin Wolf, USA

Carolina Hurricanes (5):

D Anttoni Honka, Finland
F Lenni Killinen, Finland
F Patrik Puistola, Finland
F Dominik Bokk, Germany
F Jack Drury, USA

Chicago Blackhawks (2):

F Antti Saarela, Finland
F Michal Teply, Czech Republic

Colorado Avalanche (4):

D Bowen Byram, Canada
G Justus Annunen, Finland
F Sampo Ranta, Finland
D Daniil Zhuravlyov, Russia

Columbus Blue Jackets (4):

F Liam Foudy, Canada
F Kirill Marchenko, Russia
F Dmitri Voronkov, Russia
D Tim Berni, Switzerland

Dallas Stars (3):

F Ty Dellandrea, Canada
F Oskar Back, Sweden
F Albin Eriksson, Sweden

Detroit Red Wings (5):

D Jared McIsaac, Canada
F Joseph Veleno, Canada
D Moritz Seider, Germany
F Jonatan Berggren, Sweden
F Jesper Eliasson, Sweden

Edmonton Oilers (4):

F Raphael Lavoie, Canada
G Olivier Rodrigue, Canada
F Matej Blumel, Czech Republic
D Philip Broberg, Sweden

Florida Panthers (3):

Justin Schutz, Germany
F Grigori Denisenko, Russia
G Spencer Knight, USA

Los Angeles Kings (9):

F Aidan Dudas, Canada
F Akil Thomas, Canada
F Lukas Parik, Czech Republic
F Rasmus Kupari, Finland
D Kim Nousiainen, Finland
D Tobias Bjornfot, Sweden
F Samuel Fagemo, Sweden
F Arthur Kaliyev, USA
F Alex Turcotte, USA

Minnesota Wild (1):

F Alexander Khovanov, Russia

Montreal Canadiens (4):

D Alexander Romanov, Russia
D Mattias Norlinder, Sweden
F Cole Caufield, USA
D Jordan Harris, USA

Nashville Predators (1):

D Spencer Stastney, USA

New Jersey Devils (5):

D Kevin Bahl, Canada
D Ty Smith, Canada
D Daniil Misyul, Russia
F Nikola Pasic, Sweden
G Akira Schmid, Switzerland

New York Islanders (2):

F Jacob Pivonka, USA
F Oliver Wahlstrom, USA

New York Rangers (5):

D Nico Gross, Switzerland
F Karl Henriksson, Sweden
D Nils Lundkvist, Sweden
D Zachary Jones, USA

D K’Andre Miller, USA

Ottawa Senators (3):

D Jacob Bernard-Docker, Canada
D Lassi Thomson, Finland
F Shane Pinto, USA

Philadelphia Flyers (4):

F Egor Zamula, Russia
D Adam Ginning, Sweden
F Bobby Brink, USA
D Cameron York, USA

Pittsburgh Penguins (1):

D Calen Addison, Canada

San Jose Sharks (1):

Santeri Hatakka, Finland

St. Louis Blues (2):

G Joel Hofer, Canada
F Nikita Alexandrov, Russia

Tampa Bay Lightning (3):

F Nolan Foote, Canada
F Maxim Cajkovic, Czech Republic
G Hugo Alnefelt, Sweden

Toronto Maple Leafs (3):

D Mikko Kokkonen, Finland
D Rasmus Sandin, Sweden
F Nicholas Robertson, USA

Vancouver Canucks (4):

F Karel Plasek, Czech Republic
D Toni Utunen, Finland
F Vasily Podkolzin, Russia
F Nils Hoglander, Sweden

Vegas Golden Knights (3):

F Pavel Dorofeyev, Russia
F Ivan Morozov, Russia
G Isaiah Saville, USA

Washington Capitals (2):

F Connor McMichael, Canada
D Martin Has, Czech Republic

Winnipeg Jets (2):

F David Gustafsson, Sweden
D Ville Heinola, Finland

Finland’s WJC Roster Filled With NHL Prospects

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The IIHF World Junior tournament is just around the corner now that the calendar has turned to December and the involved countries will soon start to release training camp rosters. Finland is the first to do just that as today they announced a group of 36 players that will compete for a chance to represent their country on the world stage. Finland has continued to develop as a hockey nation every year, supplying the NHL with high-end talent like Kaapo Kakko, Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Miro Heiskanen and Patrik Laine in recent drafts.

The full team, with their NHL affiliate in parenthesis:

Goaltenders:

Justus Annunen (COL)
Jasper Patrikainen 
Kari Piiroinen

Defense:

Santeri Hatakka (SJS)
Ville Heinola (WPG)
Anttoni Honka (CAR)
Mikko Kokkonen (TOR)
Miska Kukkonen (BUF)
Topi Niemela (2020 eligible)
Kim Nousiainen (LAK)
Axel Rindell
Peetro Seppala
Lassi Thomson (OTT)
Toni Utunen (VAN)

Forwards:

Leevi Aaltonen (NYR)
Eemil Erholtz
Aleks Haatanen
Roni Hirvonen (2020 eligible)
Lenni Killinen (CAR)
Otto Kivenmaki (DET)
Rasmus Kupari (LAK)
Anton Lundell (2020 eligible)
Matias Maccelli (ARI)
Henri Nikkanen (WPG)
Niklas Nordgren (CHI)
Joonas Oden
Mikko Petman
Ville Petman
Patrik Puistola (CAR)
Sampo Ranta (COL)
Aatu Raty (2021 eligible)
Aku Raty (ARI)
Antti Saarela (CHI)
Samuel Salonen
Patrik Siikanen (EDM)
Kristian Tanus

Ville Heinola Returning To Finland

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The Winnipeg Jets have assigned Ville Heinola to Lukko Rauma of Finland’s Liiga, ending his North American development for the time being. The 18-year old defenseman will still be under contract with the Jets and can technically be recalled, but will likely play the rest of the season in his home country. The first year of his entry-level contract will not be burned after playing in just eight NHL games.

Selected 20th overall in June’s draft, Heinola made an immediate impression on the Jets coaching staff and cracked the roster out of training camp. Playing in any professional league at 18 is a challenge, but with his previous experience from Liiga, the young defenseman was incredibly impressive at the NHL level. Thrust into a leading role as the team dealt with injuries (and absences), Heinola recorded five points in eight games before the Jets decided it was better off for his development to play in the minor leagues. He’ll now continue that path in Finland where he can carry even more responsibility.

Perhaps most notably, this means Heinola is a virtual lock for the Finnish World Junior team this winter. In what might be his last chance to play in the tournament, he should be relied on heavily by the coaching staff to play against the other top junior players in the world.

Central Notes: Heinola, Boudreau, Comeau

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Earlier in the week, the Jets assigned defenseman Ville Heinola to Manitoba of the AHL.  While the official stance was that the move was designed to get him some more ice time, it’s certainly notable that he’s only two games shy of the ten required to officially burn the first year of his entry-level deal.  The demotion gives the 18-year-old the opportunity to trigger his European Assignment Clause but he told Scott Billeck of the Winnipeg Sun that he’s undecided about whether or not to do so and will be discussing the situation with his agent.  An opportunity to go back home for likely more money than his $70K AHL salary would certainly be enticing but the Moose play the same system as the Jets so from a longer-term development standpoint, sticking around in the AHL may be the better play.

Elsewhere in the Central Division:

  • While Bruce Boudreau still has two years left on his contract after this one, Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic mentions (subscription required) that both of those years are as a consultant and that this is the final season of his deal as a head coach. With the Wild off to a sluggish start to their season and likely facing an eventual rebuild situation, that could present a viable situation for both sides to have a fresh start after the season although if the team turns it around, an extension (likely a short-term one) would also be feasible for new GM Bill Guerin.
  • The Stars are expected to get winger Blake Comeau back in the near future. Matthew DeFranks of the Dallas Morning News notes that the veteran could return tonight against Montreal or if not then, he’d be probable to play on Tuesday.  Comeau has been out since suffering a lower-body back in the season opener against Boston and would be a welcome addition to their bottom-six group which has struggled to produce so far this season.

Ville Heinola Sent To AHL

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Despite being one of the better Winnipeg Jets’ defensemen at times this season, Ville Heinola is headed to the minor leagues. The organization made the move today, preserving for now the first year of Heinola’s entry-level contract. The 18-year old defenseman has played in eight NHL games to this point, but will see his contract slide if he does not suit up for more than nine this season.

Selected 20th overall in June’s draft, Heinola immediately impressed the Winnipeg staff with his calm, professional play at both ends of the rink. The teenager had played a full season in Finland’s top league, logging big minutes even at such a young age. He stepped into a similar situation with Winnipeg, averaging close to 20 minutes of ice time through his first six games.

Though those numbers dropped off as the Jets started to get healthier on the back end (to the point where he has even sat as a healthy scratch), his performance in a short NHL stint should have fans excited about what comes next. Heinola recorded five points and showed he could hang at the highest level, even if he does need a little more seasoning to become a legitimate top option. The fact that he was playing at all as an 18-year old was impressive enough.

This assignment to the Manitoba Moose however may not be for the whole season. GM Kevin Cheveldayoff didn’t rule out a return to Finland for Heinola, explaining that there are still several options at this point. Wherever he plays, the cool-headed defenseman is someone to keep an eye on throughout his development.

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