TEAM FINLAND
Preliminary Roster
General Manager Jere Lehtinen together with head coach Lauri Marjamaki announced the 16 first players of the Finnish national team for the World Cup of Hockey.
The Finns nominated two goaltenders with Tuukka Rask and Pekka Rinne. Esa Lindell, Olli Maatta, Rasmus Ristolainen and Sami Vatanen are the four first defencemen who have been selected.
The Finnish forwards who have secured their place in the World Cup are Aleksander Barkov, Joonas Donskoi, Valtteri Filppula, Mikael Granlund, Jussi Jokinen, Mikko Koivu, Leo Komarov, Lauri Korpikoski, Jori Lehtera and Teuvo Teravainen.
“These 16 players form a strong core to the team. They are a great mixture of experience, talent and open-mindedness,” says Marjamaki about the first nominations. “For the players the World Cup is a huge thing. Their motivation is high and they all want to be part of the team.”
The Finnish team will convene early September and play pre-tournament games against Sweden, first on home ice at Hartwall Arena in Helsinki on 8 September, then two days later in Gothenburg.
Goaltenders:
Tuukka Rask, Boston Bruins, USA, NHL
Pekka Rinne, Nashville Predators, USA, NHL
Defencemen:
Esa Lindell, Texas Stars, USA, AHL
Olli Maatta, Pittsburgh Penguins, USA, NHL
Rasmus Ristolainen, Buffalo Sabres, USA, NHL
Sami Vatanen, Anaheim Ducks, USA, NHL
Forwards:
Aleksander Barkov, Florida Panthers, USA, NHL
Joonas Donskoi, San Jose Sharks, USA, NHL
Valtteri Filppula, Tampa Bay Lightning, USA, NHL
Mikael Granlund, Minnesota Wild, USA, NHL
Jussi Jokinen, Florida Panthers, USA, NHL
Mikko Koivu, Minnesota Wild, USA, NHL
Leo Komarov, Toronto Maple Leafs, CAN, NHL
Lauri Korpikoski, Edmonton Oilers, CAN, NHL
Jori Lehtera, St. Louis Blues, USA, NHL
Teuvo Teravainen, Chicago Blackhawks, USA, NHL
Head Coach:
Lauri Marjamaki