Finland's World Junior roster suffers a massive blow

The 2022 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships are set to get underway in less than two weeks in Edmonton and Red Deer, Alberta. In the last several days, participating nations have begun to name their final rosters for the tournament and will be heading to Canada shortly.

But as everyone knows by now, COVID-19 can throw a wrench in anyone's plans and that's what has happened to Finland.

According to Sami Hoffren of Ilta-Sanomat, Finnish forward and New York Islanders prospect Aatu Raty has tested positive for COVID-19 and will not accompany the team to Canada tomorrow. Hoffren added that COVID-19 has been circling within a few of the teams in Finland's Liiga teams including Assat Pori and Mikkelin Jukurit, the latter of whom Raty plays for. Both Assat Pori and Mikkelin Jukurit have been place in quarantine.

"The corona infections of a few Finnish Championship League clubs have brought dark clouds in preparation for the Young Lions (Finland's World Junior team)," Hoffren said.

He added, "Of the league clubs, Assat Pori and Mikkelin Jukurit were placed in corona quarantine. From these teams, Jukurit forward Aatu Räty and Assat Pori defencemen Aleksi Heimosalmi and Rami Määttä were selected for the World Championship of Young Lions"

SaiPa forward Roni Karvinen and Ilves defenceman Karri Aho will come into the team as replacements.

Finland will kick-off their tournament on Sunday, December 26th against Germany at 2pm ET/12pm MT (local).

Nuorille Leijonille kova takaisku – Aatu Räty jää pois MM-kisoista https://t.co/bgFSwqaQcW— Ilta-Sanomat Urheilu (@isurheilu) December 14, 2021

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