The Lions are receiving NHL reinforcements – two new players joining.
The Finnish national ice hockey team, preparing for the World Championships, was strengthened on Tuesday by two new players from NHL organizations. The Finnish Ice Hockey Association reports that New Jersey Devils contract players Lenni Hämeenaho and Topias Vilén will join the group preparing for the tournament.
Of the two, Hämeenaho’s tournament ticket is practically stamped. The 21-year-old forward played 33 NHL games this season, with stats of 2+6=8. In the AHL, the young forward played 37 games with stats of 10+16=26.
In contrast, 23-year-old defenseman Vilén is still seeking a stamp for his World Championship passport through the Czech EHT tournament.
The Lions’ GM Jere Lehtinen explains the roles of the duo in the association’s announcement.
– Hämeenaho was also involved last spring. He is a smart and versatile forward who can play in different roles, Lehtinen describes Hämeenaho.
– Vilén is proving himself for a tournament spot. He is a familiar face from the youth national teams, but in the senior national team, he will face his first games of his career next week, Lehtinen says.
Hämeenaho showcased his abilities last spring at the World Championships, where after a productive season playing for Ässät, the selected forward scored 5 points (1+4) in eight games.
Vilén played the majority of this season in the AHL, where the defenseman recorded 27 points (4+23) in 61 games. In the NHL, he appeared in two games.
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