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After Evan Barratt became the first Nittany Lion to be selected to a World Junior Championship roster, another Penn Stater will be representing his country at the upcoming tournament.
The Finnish Ice Hockey Association revealed its 23-man roster for the 2019 tournament Thursday afternoon. Freshman forward Aarne Talvitie not only made the final cut, but was selected as captain of the Scandinavian squad.
Congratulations to freshman @AarneTalvitie who will don the ‘C’ for Finland at the upcoming @IIHFHockey World Junior Championship in Victoria & Vancouver, British Columbia!! @leijonat #WJC #WeAre #HockeyValley pic.twitter.com/1qemhZzPec
— Penn State Men’s Hockey (@PennStateMHKY) December 25, 2018
Talvitie, who missed the final cut for last year’s tournament, has impressed in his first season in Hockey Valley. Combining his bullish style of play with a powerful wrist shot, Talvitie has 17 points in 16 games this season while lining up primarily on Guy Gadowsky’s fourth line.
The Fins have won four gold medals in the tournament’s history, most recently in 2016. With a deep lineup this year, the team is projected as one of the favorites to win gold.
With bragging rights on the line, Talvitie and Barratt will go head-to-head on New Year’s Eve as Finland and the United States close out the round robin games for Group B.