Not due to fate. Or an alignment of the stars. Or a manifestation of destiny.
Topias, 20, was meant to play defense because that's what his older brother, Elias, wanted. After all, as the elder sibling, Elias - a forward - wanted his younger brother to play defense during their 1-on-1 games at home.
"He started earlier than me. He's older so he gets to choose," Topias said with a smile.
And while playing defense stuck with Topias, so did hockey in general. Thanks to his older kin.
"I started hockey because of him," Topias said. "He had a huge impact on my career."
That career has seen Topias follow his brother through the ranks of Finnish hockey, starting in the amateur programs in their hometown of Lahti, Finland and progressing to playing in the Finnish professional league - Liiga - with the Lahti Pelicans.
Both brothers made the jump to the Liiga ranks in 2020-21. Topias played the entire season against men at just 17 years old. And most impressively, he handled himself well. He produced eight points (3g-5a) in 35 games despite limited ice time, but saw his role and minutes expand as the season progressed.
The left-shot defenseman also chipped in four assists in seven games for Finland during the World U-18 Junior Championship, playing alongside fellow Devils prospect Samu Salminen.
Following that season, Vilen would hear his name called during the 2021 NHL Draft by the New Jersey Devils - fifth round (129th overall). And since that day, Devils management has praised his play and progress over the past two years.
"It means a lot to me. It gives me a lot of motivation to push myself forward," Vilen said. "It's huge for me."
"I just want to be the steal of the draft," he added with a grin.
"That's great. It doesn't surprise me that he would say that," said Eric Weinrich, the Devils Defenseman Development Coach. "Because he's the kind of kid, if you ask him something he'll think about it for a minute and then formulate a pretty intelligent answer. I know he really wants to prove he belongs. He's done that in the past three years."
Vilen has progressed a lot in his three years in Liiga. But his biggest leap in development occurred just one year ago, particularly in his strength.
"Last summer was the biggest summer of my career. I improved a lot in my physicality there," Vilen said. "I think I got more physical and more speed in my game. I have more confidence. That's the biggest thing."
Vilen's hard work was evident during the 2022-23 season. The 6-foot-1, 195-pound blueliner posted nine goals and 17 points in 41 games for the Pelicans while playing in a prominent role on the blue line. He chipped in nine points (4g-5a) during the playoffs to help his fourth-seeded
Pelicans reach the Liiga Final, falling to Tappara in five games. He was proud of the achievement, but still disappointed in the end result.
"We got in the finals but unfortunately we lost," Vilen said.
Following his season in Finland, Vilen crossed the ocean to join Utica of the American Hockey League during its playoff stretch. Though he only managed to play in one game due to timing, it was still a big lesson on the North American game.
"The speed of the game was so much faster than in Finland, especially in the playoffs," Vilen said of the AHL game. "That was the biggest thing."
And speed is an area of his game of which Vilen wants to improve.
"Just to move the puck. Gaps up, move the puck forward faster," he said.
Vilen is attending the Devils' Development Camp this week with other prospects from the organization. And he's hoping to adapt his game to playing on the smaller ice surfaces in North America.
"It was important to come here," Vilen said. "I got to know a little bit of the guys and the North American game."
Vilen will be back in Newark this fall for the Devils training camp. And no matter where he lands - New Jersey or Utica - he's thrilled to begin a new chapter in his hockey career.
"I'm just so excited to come here finally," he said. "I was excited to come here after last season. I'm looking forward to being here."
"He's come a long way from being the seventh D-man on his team to being the top guy and one of the top players in the Finnish league," Weinrich said. "Kudos to him and I'm really excited to see what he does this year."
And while the competition for defensive spots in New Jersey will be tough, Vilen is aiming high.
"My goal is to be my best in training camp and hopefully make the roster," he said. "Take my spot on the roster."
