Heikki Ruohonen had a strong showing at the 2025 World Junior Summer Showcase (WJSS) in Plymouth, Michigan, representing Team Finland.
As a Flyers’ prospect and a fourth-round pick, he displayed his offensive flair and physical presence, contributing assists and showing chemistry with linemates like Tom Leppa and Joona Saarelainen.
His performance highlighted his importance to Finland’s lineup, though he unfortunately suffered a broken jaw during warmups later in the season, causing him to miss the World Junior Championships. Rhuonen’s play at the WJSS underscored his potential as a power forward for the upcoming IIHF World Junior Championship in 2026, where he remains eligible.
Ruohonen is an 18-year-old Finnish center drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers in the fourth round (No. 107 overall) of the 2024 NHL Draft. Standing at 6’2 and 205 pounds, he’s a two-way center with power forward qualities, known for his high hockey IQ, competitive drive, and physicality.
Strengths
- Two-Way Play: Ruohonen is a versatile center who excels in both offensive and defensive zones. He drives play with strong puck possession and uses his size to win battles and protect the puck. His ability to outwork opponents for body positioning and leverage contact is a standout trait.
- Physicality and Competitiveness: Described as a “bulldozer” with a high motor, he loves to hit and brings relentless energy. His forechecking tenacity and ability to force turnovers make him a pest on the ice. He’s been compared to players like William Carrier for his physical, hard-working style.
- Playmaking and Vision: Ruohonen demonstrates smart playmaking, often setting up teammates with precise passes. At the 2025 World Junior Summer Showcase (WJSS), he recorded assists in games against Team USA, showcasing his ability to create scoring chances in high-level competition. His line with Tom Leppa and Joona Saarelainen was noted as Finland’s most threatening.
- Scoring Ability: In the 2023-24 season with Kiekko-Espoo U20, he scored 20 goals and 47 points in 37 games, including a seven-game point streak with six goals and nine assists. At the U18 World Championship, he was consistent, averaging a point per game in the round-robin.
- Skating: For his size, Ruohonen moves well, using explosive weight shifts to beat defenders to the inside. While not elite, his skating is above average and complements his physical game.
Areas for Improvement
- Skill Level and Explosiveness: While Ruohonen has decent hands, his overall skill set isn’t considered elite, and he may need to refine his puck-handling to become a top-nine NHL player. His skating, while solid, could use more explosiveness to elevate his game, but he improved at the WJSS.
- Offensive Ceiling: Scouts note he’s average across most skills without a standout offensive trait, which may limit his upside to a bottom-six or middle-six role. Some question whether his scoring will translate to the NHL level.
- Consistency: While he’s shown flashes of dominance, particularly in international play, maintaining that level consistently across a full season will be key. His quieter performances in some games at the U18s raised concerns about his ability to dominate offensively.
Ruohonen projects as a reliable, hard-working center with the potential to become a bottom-six or middle-six forward in the NHL. His physicality, competitiveness, and two-way play make him a safe bet to carve out a role, especially if he improves his explosiveness and offensive polish.
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