Hirvonen set to play in North America, eyes future with Maple Leafs

TORONTO -- Roni Hirvonen got a taste of hockey in North America toward the end of last season, but even though the Toronto Maple Leafs center prospect did not get into a game for Toronto of the American Hockey League, the experience left the 21-year-old eagerly anticipating his first full season outside his native Finland.

"I'm most looking forward to the games," said Hirvonen, selected by the Maple Leafs in the second round (No. 28) of the 2020 NHL Draft. "I'm really excited to start next season here ... I'm just so excited and honored to get to play here."

After putting up 28 points (15 goals, 13 assists) in 57 games with HIFK Helsinki last season in Liiga, the top professional league in Finland, Hirvonen joined Toronto of the AHL during the Calder Cup Playoffs. He said getting the chance to practice and be around the team helped him immensely to prepare for playing there this season.

"I feel like everyone helped me," Hirvonen said. "We had a good group of guys, everyone took me in well and it was a fun time to be here. It made me look forward even more to start this season. ... That's helped me a lot to come here and get to know everyone and the training on the ice. I feel I got some improvement in the five weeks I was here after my season in Finland. I feel I'm more ready to come here now."

Toronto assistant general manager of player development Hayley Wickenheiser said she has been pleased with Hirvonen's development since he was drafted.

"I think he's made significant progress and really, the credit goes to Roni," Wickenheiser said. "He's been very open to the ideas we've thrown at him as a development staff. We've changed a little bit about his posture, his stick, his approach to the game. He's a more confident guy, more powerful and explosive.

"He had a very long season last year where they played almost 11 months, so he's catching up off the ice in terms of conditioning and training, which will be the biggest thing for Roni because he's a competitor, he has a good head on him and sees the ice fairly well."

Hirvonen sustained a concussion during a scrimmage on an open ice hit from defenseman Nolan Dillingham during a drill at Maple Leafs development camp last month. Wickenheiser said it was a clean hit and Hirvonen is expected to be ready for training camp.

After winning a bronze medal with Finland at the 2021 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship and a silver medal at the 2022 tournament, Hirvonen said he feels he is much more prepared for hockey in North America.

"I've gotten more mature, stronger, faster and everything has improved," he said. "I'm looking forward to starting the season here."

Though not physically imposing at 5-foot-9, 164 pounds, Wickenheiser said playing on a smaller rink should help Hirvonen's game.

"The smaller ice surface here actually might be more beneficial for the way Roni plays," Wickenheiser said. "He's not a skater that really lights it up on the open ice but coming out of the corners, the first two or three steps, playing around the net in tight is an area he can excel in.

"He doesn't shy away from contact, he proved in the World Juniors that he's a competitor and a good leader (seven points; three goals, four assists in seven games for Finland in the 2022 WJC). So I think it's just his comfort level and the belief in himself that he's capable of getting to the next level, and really digging into that every day."