Michigan Tech forward Tom Leppa celebrates a goal scored during a game against Northern Michigan on Friday, Nov. 1, at the Berry Events Center in Marquette. (Photo courtesy of Michigan Tech University)
HOUGHTON — Michigan Tech Huskies freshman forward Tom Leppa has been named to Team Finland’s roster for the 2025 IIHF Ice Hockey World Junior Championship in Ottawa, on Dec. 26-Jan. 5.
Leppa, a native of Kauniainen, Finland, has skated all 16 games for the Huskies this season at center. He has tallied two goals and three assists with a plus-2 while ranking second on the team with 111 faceoff wins. Leppa scored the game-winning goal at Northern Michigan (Nov. 2). He also found the back of the net against Minnesota State (Nov. 22).
Team Finland traveled to Canada on Monday and was met by the 10 players who are already in North America, including Leppa who traveled north of the border after Tech’s win at Bemidji State. Finland will play exhibition games against Slovakia on Friday (Dec. 20) and Team USA on Monday (Dec. 23). The training camp roster includes 26 players and will be trimmed to by one after the exhibition games.
Finland opens the tournament against host Canada on Dec. 26. Other teams in Group A include Germany, Latvia, and Team USA. Finland plays Germany on Dec. 27, USA on Dec. 29, and Latvia on Dec. 31.
Leppa played for Team Finland at the 2022 IIHF U-18 World Championship, appearing in five games. He also won the 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup Bronze Medal with Team Finland. Before coming to Tech, Leppa won the Clark Cup as USHL Playoff Champions with the Fargo Force last season. In 60 games, he tallied 23 points with 10 goals and 13 assists.
Max Koskipirtti was on Team Finland last year which placed fourth at the WJC in Sweden. Blake Pietila won gold with Team USA in Ufa, Russia in 2013.
