Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Roni Hirvonen has been named a top three player for his team at the World Junior Championship. This should come as no surprise, as through six games the 20-year-old has produced three goals and four assists for Finland en route to the gold medal game.
Hirvonen was originally drafted in the second round of the 2020 NHL entry draft (59th overall). Since being drafted, the diminutive forward has been playing against fully grown men in SM-Liiga, Finland's top men's league. Last season, Hirvonen played 46 games for HIFK Helsinki, where he scored 9 goals and 17 assists, for a total of 26 points.
On May 13th of this year, Hirvonen signed a three-year entry level contract with the Leafs. Given the fact that the Buds are so top-heavy salary wise, the team would be thrilled if he could break into the NHL while only earning entry level money.
Hirvonen is listed as 5-foot-9, 176 lbs, though he plays the game like he's 6 feet and 190 lbs. He is known primarily as a playmaker, but has good finishing ability as well. He also has a good two-way game and defends as well as he forechecks. The Buds may have found an impact player for their middle six in the Finnish forward.
