Pair of Leafs prospects invited to evaluation camp for the upcoming World Junior Championship tournament
Earlier this year, thanks to COVID-19, the IIHF World Junior Championship tournament had been cancelled, leading to a make-up tournament being played this August.
The Leafs are expected to have several prospects taking part in the tournament, including a couple of top prospects in 2020 2nd and 3rd rounders Roni Hirvonen and Topi Niemela, who have been invited to attend Finland's World Junior evaluation camp.
Hirvonen, the Leafs' 2nd round pick (59th overall) in 2020, was originally named captain of Team Finland before the tourney was rescheduled, so it stands to reason that he will likely reprise his role as captain this summer. Prior to the tourney being delayed, Hirvonen had 1 assist in 2 games and was a +3.
Niemela was selected just 5 picks after Hirvonen, 64th overall in the same draft class, and was also on Finland's roster prior to the stoppage due to the pandemic. He had scored 1 goal in 2 games and was an impressive +6 in the tourney.
