Flames' 2017 first round pick Juuso Valimaki is slated to play a big role for Finland at the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship.
As per
Adam Kimelman of NHL.com
, Valimaki will captain this year's Finnish squad at the tournament, which runs Dec. 26 through Jan. 5 in Buffalo, N.Y.
"He has big-time leadership qualities," Finland coach Jussi Ahokas told Kimelman during the World Junior Summer Showcase in Plymouth, Mich. "He takes charge on the ice, defends well, also can make smart plays with the puck. The big thing is on the team he is a leader, and we need those kind of guys."
VALIMAKI TO CAPTAIN FINNISH WJC TEAM
The defenceman is slated to play a big role for Finland at this year's tournament
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