Ilves forwards Joona Ikonen and Tommi Tikka have been named to the Finnish national team that plays in a Euro Hockey Tour tournament in Sweden 9–12 February.
Finland will start the Beijer Hockey Games in Zürich with a game against Switzerland. The tournament then continues in Malmö where the Finns face Czechia and Sweden. Forwards Joona Ikonen, 24, and Tommi Tikka, 27, who made their national team debuts in Czechia’s Euro Hockey Tour tournament in December, are also part of the Finnish team in Sweden’s EHT tournament.
Liiga’s leading goalscorer Joona Ikonen leads the Ilves team in points after scoring 39 points (20 goals, 19 assists) in 42 games. The forward is also Liiga’s best goalscorer on the power-play with nine goals. Ikonen scored his first goal for the national team in the EHT tournament in Czechia.
Tommi Tikka has recorded 22 points (12 goals, 10 assists) in 39 games. The center’s face-off winning percentage 55,9 and shooting percentage 17,9 are among the best in the league.
U18 four-nation tournament takes place in Rauma and Eurajoki 10–12 February. Forward Emil Järventie, 17, who Ilves loaned to SaiPa on a contract that runs until spring 2024, was named to the Finnish team.
Switzerland will host a U17 five-nation tournament in Romanshorn 7–11 February. Ilves defenseman Sebastian Soini, 16, was selected to Finland’s team. Soini has scored 9 points (3 goals, 6 assists) in 27 games in the Finnish U20 league and 5 points (all assists) in 11 games in the U18 league. He made his debut in men’s leagues in January as he was loaned to KOOVEE’s Mestis team.
Czechia’s U17 team includes Ilves defenseman David Svozil, 16, and forward Ondřej Kos, 16. Svozil has recorded 6 points (4 goals, 2 assists) in 22 games in the U20 league and 9 points (2 goals, 7 assists) in 17 games in the U18 league. Kos’ numbers are 10 points (3 goals, 7 assists) in 16 games in the U20 league and 8 points (6 goals, 2 assists) in 12 games in the U18 league.
National team rosters
