Vesalainen shines at U18’s

Aaron Vickers2017 Draft Center, Tournaments & Events

Photo courtesy Finnish Ice Hockey Association

Finland’s Kristian Vesalainen put in a performance to remember at the IIHF U18 World Championship.

Vesalainen, 24th in Future Considerations’ Spring ranking for the 2017 NHL Draft, was named MVP of the 2017 U18, and received the directorate award as the tournament’s top forward after leading the U18’s with six goals and 13 points.

He wasn’t the only one to earn honors.

Goaltender Maxim Zhukov (90th) and defenseman Miro Heiskanen (11th) also received directorate awards as the top player at their positions.

Heiskanen and Vesalainen were also named to the media all-star team, joining goaltender Dylan St. Cyr and defenseman Max Gildon (44th) of Team USA. Team USA teammate Sean Dhooghe and Russian Ivan Chekhovich (64th) were also named all-stars.

Directorate Awards
Best Goaltender: Maxim Zhukov (RUS)
Best Defenceman: Miro Heiskanen (FIN)
Best Forward: Kristian Vesalainen (FIN)

Media All-Star Team
Goal: Dylan St. Cyr (USA)
Defence: Miro Heiskanen (FIN)
Defence: Max Gildon (USA)
Forward: Kristian Vesalainen (FIN)
Forward: Sean Dhooghe (USA)
Forward: Ivan Chekhovich (RUS)