The Athletic named Juuso Ainasto as an extra for Team Finland's World Junior team which gives the Maple Leafs an early benchmark for the 85th overall pick in 2026.
Previewing who could take the ice for Team Finland at the World Juniors this upcoming December, The Athletic revealed their projected roster for the Finns with top names like Oliver Suivanto, Max Westergard, and Oscar Hemming all projected to make the team.
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But in selecting goalies, they added two young guns in Patrik Kerkola and Jester Rossi though also expected another to make the team - the Maple Leafs' 85th overall pick in the 2026 draft, Juuso Ainasto who already made the Finnish Summer Showcase team as well.
Ainasto is chasing Finland's backup job at the World Juniors
Ainasto, 18, was drafted after spending time with Jokerit's U18 and U20 teams. With the U18's he went 8-3-0 with a 1.74 GAA and .938 SV% though his numbers dipped a bit with the U20's where he had a 6-7-0 record with a 3.28 GAA and .892 SV%. He also appeared in three games internationally, where he had a 3.99 GAA and .896 SV%.
But while the numbers may not jump off the page, he's got pure raw talent. He's extremely quick on his feet, is great at cutting off shooting angles for opponents, and his post-to-post lateral movement is strong as Elite Prospects noted in their 2026 Draft Guide:
Side-to-side, he's able to zip across-crease with ease and speed, beating pucks on his pushes alone, and he's also able to recover quickly from his extensions and get back into a ready stance.
Kerkola, 19, is the projected starter though and he spent time in 2025-26 with four different clubs (KalPa U20, KalPa, IPK, Sport) and has been Finland's #3 goaltender for the past three seasons, and looks to continue this year based off his previous experience.
Ainasto's lack of international experience could be a key factor into why The Athletic has him as an extra, as both Kerkola and Rossi have both extensive experience with both men splitting duties the past few seasons and all three goalies got a good look at the team's Summer Showcase.
Ainasto has four months to change Finland's World Juniors projection
Ainasto has the ability to be a great asset for the Finnish side this winter but he'll need to make sure that he plays more like his U18 days than the U20. He does have time on his side as he's only 18 and the Maple Leafs saw something beyond the stats in the 6-foot-4 goaltender.
Daily Faceoff's Steven Ellis also had high praise for Ainasto's quickness, and was told by scouts he could become a tandem goalie in the future:
Juuso Ainasto is a huge goalie. One of the fastest movers you'll find at 6-foot-4. He has quick legs, a good glove hand and isn't afraid to punch someone. A few scouts I talked to think he could be a decent tandem goalie.
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What's also on his side besides time is precedence. Toronto already knows patience regarding how to develop young goalies, and he can feel confident that even if he can't put in a strong performance, the Maple Leafs will give him as much time as he needs.
If he's able to take the next few months to prove that he can be a stable and reliable goalie, then even being named as a backup to the largest junior tournament in the world is going to be quite the accomplishment.
That's not only great for him personally, but it's going to be an early measuring stick for Toronto for one of their newest prospects - in which a strong showing could pay off down the line.
Do you think Juuso Ainasto will make Finland's World Junior team?
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