Roni Hirvonen
Age: 18
H/W: 5’9″/170 lbs
POS: C
Current Team: Ässät (Liiga)
Drafted: 59th Overall (Round 2) 2020 NHL Entry Draft
To start off the slew of Finns the Toronto Maple Leafs took in this draft, Roni Hirvonen was selected with the lone second-round pick the Leafs held.
Standing at 5’9″, what Hirvonen lacks for in size, he makes up for in skill and on-ice intelligence. He has the hands to dish to teammates, as well the smarts to find open ice and bury home goals. His skating could still use some work, but at only 18, that will come with time.
In regards to the number of Finns the Toronto Maple Leafs selected, here’s what Moran had to say, “The Finns play in a hybrid sheet [of ice] – it’s not as big as an Olympic size of ice, but not as small NHL so there’s a little bit more grinding … You know what the Finns are like, they’re gonna be hard to play against and protect the puck well. They might not be huge but they have good skills, good feet, and you know that’s what Toronto’s got in their picks here.”
According to hockeydb.com In 15 games with Ässät of the top league in Finland, the Liiga, the Finnish Centre has posted 3 goals and 5 points.