The Calgary Flames’ first selection in the 2022 NHL Draft is going to have himself a busy summer. Not only is Topi Ronni attending Flames’ development camp this week, but he’s also going to be participating in Finland’s summer camp for its under-20 men’s national team.
The Flames’ development camp runs July 6-8 and Ronni is participating for the second consecutive year. After his camp commitments are done, he’s headed back to Finland where he’ll be part of the main Finnish under-20 men’s team participating at their camp in Vierumäki, Finland from July 20-25. As part of the camp, they’ll face the under-20 teams from Switzerland and Czechia.
The 24 members of Finland’s main roster, as well as a handful of standouts from the “challenger” secondary team in camp, will then pack up and head across the Atlantic. They’ll be at the World Junior Summer Showcase, hosted by the United States in Plymouth, Michigan, from July 27-Aug. 4. That event features the under-20 teams from Finland, Sweden, and two from the USA, with the mini-tournament used as part of each nation’s World Junior roster evaluation process.
Ronni had a busy 2022-23 season, representing his club team, Tappara Tampere, in the Liiga, J20 SM-sarja and the Champions League, as well as representing his country at the World Juniors. Tappara won the league crowns in the pro, under-20 and Champions League levels, with Ronni taking on a big offensive role during J20 playoffs. As a 2004-born player and a holdover from last year’s team, he’ll be given every chance to cement his spot on Finland’s World Junior roster.
The 2024 World Juniors run Dec. 26-Jan. 5 in Gothenberg, Sweden.
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