The contingent of Colorado Avalanche players heading to Russia for the World Championship this year continues to grow. On Wednesday, prized Avalanche rookie Mikko Rantanen was added to the roster for Finland.
Selected by the Avalanche in the first round (10th overall) of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, Rantanen just wrapped up his first season in North America. After breaking camp with the Avs (and playing nine NHL games total in two stints), the 19-year-old spent the majority of the campaign with the AHL’s San Antonio Rampage, scoring 60 points in 52 games. His efforts were enough to see him capture the Red Garrett Memorial Award as the AHL Rookie of the Year.
Rantanen is also no stranger to the Finnish National Team. He captained the junior squad to a gold medal at this year’s World Junior Championship after leading the team in goals last year. This will mark his first appearance at the senior level, and may serve as an audition for the team’s World Cup entry in September.
At the World Championship, Rantanen will face off against several of his compatriots in the Avalanche organization: Matt Duchene and Calvin Pickard will take the ice for Canada, Semyon Varlamov will man the crease for Russia, and prospect J.T. Compher will suit up for Team USA. More Avalanche players could still be added, as several teams have yet to name their rosters.
