Tri-City Americans defenseman Juuso Välimäki is off to meet his President.

Välimäki, who captained Finland’s U-18 team that captured the gold medal in Grand Forks, ND in the World Under-18 Championship last April, will represent the team at the Independence Day Celebration in Helsinki on Dec. 6, 2016.

“That’s going to be pretty cool,” Välimäki said. “It’s a big honor for me. That’s the biggest honor you can get, for sure.”

The reception, hosted by the President of Finland, is to honor Finnish citizens and teams that have accomplished recognition worldwide.

President of the Republic Sauli Niinistö and his spouse Jenni Haukio are inviting around 1,800 guests to the reception.

The guests include Finns with accomplishments in a variety of fields. The list of invitees has included war veterans and members of the Lotta women’s auxiliary, as well as Estonian volunteers who fought in the Continuation War, and Swedish volunteers who participated in the Winter and Continuation Wars.

Välimäki is 22nd in Future Considerations’ Fall ranking for the 2017 NHL Draft.