Blackhawks defenseman Henri Jokiharju and goalie prospect Kevin Lankinen made the final roster cut for Finland’s World Championship team, the Finnish Ice Hockey Association announced Sunday.
Jokiharju had no goals and 12 assists in 38 games with the Blackhawks this past season as a rookie. The 19-year-old helped Finland win gold at this year’s World Junior Championship with two goals and three assists. When he returned he only played six NHL games and spent the rest of the time in the AHL. The right-handed blue liner had two goals and 15 assists in 30 AHL games.
Lankinen, who turned 24 on April 28, went 7-8-4 with a 2.50 goals-against average and .910 save percentage in 19 AHL outings in his first season in North America.
Finland will be in Group A during pool play in Kosice, Slovakia, along with Canada, Denmark, France, Great Britain, Germany, Slovakia and the United States. The tournament runs from May 10-26 in Slovakia.