Tampa Bay Lightning prospect Joona Saarelainen was named to Team Finland's U-20 roster for their home tournament.
Ahead of next week’s World Junior Summer Challenge in Minnesota, a series of games involving four U-20 teams will take place in Vierumäki, Finland, on Sunday and Monday. Two teams from Finland – essentially an A-team and a B-team – will host the Czech and Swiss national junior teams once each.
Saarelainen will feature on Team Finland's A roster, which includes several 2025 World Junior returnees and multiple players who will likely feature on Finland's 2026 roster.
The Lightning selected Saarelainen in the fifth round (149th overall) in the 2024 NHL Draft after he lit up Finland's U-20 league for 13 goals and 36 points in 43 games. His D+1 season saw him play in 21 Liiga games, Finland's top professional league, where he scored two goals and five points with KalPa.
As a returnee, Saarelainen will likely see his role with the team increased after playing bottom-six minutes at last year's event. His speed and two-way game bode well for short tournaments like the World Juniors, and he could be a difference maker as they attempt to avenge their finals loss.
Former Lightning prospect inks two-year deal with Leksands IF of the SHL
The Tampa Bay Lightning’s former second-round pick Gabriel Fortier will be heading to Sweden, after signing a two-year deal with Leksands IF of the SHL.
Fortier, who played in 11 games during his time with the organization, entered this summer as a Group 6 unrestricted free agent. Just last year, the Lightning re-signed Fortier to a one-year, two-way contract.
With no NHL offers materializing, the 25-year-old has opted to head to Sweden in hopes of boosting his value over the next couple of seasons.
”I’m really excited to come play In Leksand, my family and I are looking forward to discovering the city and the community,” said Fortier. “Can’t wait to play my first game and give everything I have for the team!”
Drafted 59th overall by the Lightning in the second round of the 2018 NHL Draft, Fortier joined the Syracuse Crunch, tallying 10 points (6 goals, 4 assists) in 30 games during his debut campaign. He followed that up with his most productive season in the organization, posting 14 goals and 21 assists over 72 games with the Crunch. In 2018 he won the Gold Medal with Team Canada at the 2018 Ivan Hlinka Memorial tournament.
Fortier made his NHL debut with the Lightning November 30, 2021 at St. Louis and scored his first career goal December 21, 2021 at Vegas. Fortier was recently called up by the Lightning alongside Gage Goncalves back in February 2025.
“At only 25 years old, he has already established himself at a high level, gained experience and there is more development left,” said SHL General manager Thomas Johansson. “We really like Gabriel's intensity and grit, which we believe will suit our way of playing. He is confident and strong with the puck, and we hope to be able to elevate his game even more."
