Jesse Puljujarvi and Valtteri Puustinen have been chosen to represent Team Finland at the 2024 IIHF World Championship, which will take place from May 10-26 in Prague and Ostrava, Czechia. Puustinen previously won silver with Finland at the 2021 World Championship, while Puljujarvi represented Finland at the 2017 World Championship.
Puustinen, a 24-year-old forward who hails from Kuopio, Finland, led rookies in goals and assists for Pittsburgh this season. He played a total of 52 games with the Penguins, scoring 20 points (5G-15A) and leading the team’s rookies in both categories. In addition to his time with Pittsburgh, Puustinen also played 24 games with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the American Hockey League, where he recorded an additional 13 points and led his team with three points in two playoff games.
On the other hand, Puljujarvi is a 25-year-old forward who was born in Alvkarleby, Sweden but was raised in Finland. He joined Pittsburgh on a professional tryout in December 2023 and signed a two-year contract with the Penguins on February 4th. During his time with Pittsburgh this season, he played a total of 22 games and scored four points. Before joining Pittsburgh he tallied nine points in just thirteen games with WBS Penguins prior to signing up for professional tryout.
The schedule for Team Finland’s Preliminary Round has already been released for the upcoming tournament and broadcast information will be announced at a later date.
