Henri Jokiharju returned to the Blackhawks from the Finnish men’s national junior team Monday, but will not play in the team’s game against the Flames.
Blackhawks head coach Jeremy Colliton wouldn’t say which defensemen will be sent down to the AHL to make room for Jokiharju, who won gold with Finland at the World Junior Championship.
The rookie defenseman scored two goals and four points in seven games during the premier under-20 international tournament in British Columbia, Columbia. His first goal of the tournament was also his first goal since last April in a WHL playoff game for the Portland Winterhawks.
The highlight of Jokiharju’s tournament came when he assisted on Kaapo Kakko’s game-winning goal in the gold-medal game against the United States. The night before Jokiharju praised Kakko and said the Finnish winger “is going to be No. 1 pick” in this year’s NHL draft despite many predicting Kakko will be No. 2 behind American Jack Hughes.
Jokiharju has no goals and 11 assists in 32 NHL games this season while playing a top-four pairing role.