Tigers’ Vaisanen to represent Finland at World Juniors

By JAMES TUBB on December 18, 2024.

jtubb@medicinehatnews.com@ReporterTubb

The Medicine Hat Tigers will have two representatives at the 2025 World Junior Hockey Championships held in Ottawa.

Defenceman Veeti Vaisanen was added to Team Finland’s camp roster on Saturday, one of 26 players named to the roster.

The 18-year-old Utah Hockey Club prospect has a goal and nine points in 29 games this season with the Tigers. If he makes Finland’s final roster, he’ll join forward Gavin McKenna at the tournament.

Games get underway Dec. 26 with Finland taking on McKenna and Canada. Tigers’ head coach Willie Desjardins joked Väisänen was talking more than he ever has after receiving the news.

“When people get to represent their country, that’s the best,” Desjardins said. “When you get to play a sport you love and represent your country, I don’t think there’s anything better. I think every player feels that way.”

McKenna was named to Canada’s roster on Friday.

The last time the World Juniors were held in Ottawa was 2009, with Desjardins serving as an assistant coach on the late Pat Quinn’s staff. It was also the last time the Tigers’ had a player on Team Canada, with forward Tyler Ennis donning the red and white.

Desjardins says both Väisänen and McKenna have put in the work and are also lucky to have the opportunity to represent their country.

“There’s lots of pressure on them, there’s lots of tough games, nothing’s going to be easy, so they have their work cut out,” Desjardins said. “But that’s what it’s about. It’s about guys who thrive under pressure and that’s good for both players. Both players play better when there’s pressure.”

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