Olli Maatta carries the puck for the Utah Hockey Club (Photo by Utah Hockey Club).
(Photo by Utah Hockey Club)
SALT LAKE CITY – On Wednesday afternoon, two Utah Hockey Club players were named to Finland’s Four Nations Face-Off Roster. As part of the morning announcement, Utah Hockey Club defensemen Olli Maatta and Juuso Valimaki were selected to represent Team Finland.
Four Nations Roster News:
Olli Maatta and Juuso Valimaki have been named to represent Team Finland.#UtahHC #NHL
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) December 4, 2024
Replacing the All-Star event this season, the Four Nations Face-Off is an international tournament hosted by the NHL from February 12, 2025, to February 20 in Montreal and Boston. The United States, Canada, Sweden and Finland will each submit a 23-man roster to compete in three round-robin games.
Teams will be awarded three points for a regulation win, two points for an overtime or shootout win, one point for an overtime or shootout loss, and zero points for a regulation loss
The two teams with the most points will then compete in a Championship game on February 20 in Boston at 8 pm ET.
Representing Team Finland, Maatta and Valimaki will defend the blue line at the Nations Face-Off for their country.
🇫🇮 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝 🇫🇮
Congratulations to Olli Määttä for being named to Finland’s 4 Nations Face-Off roster! pic.twitter.com/Y1xaA5D0TI
— Utah Hockey Club (@utahhockeyclub) December 4, 2024
🇫🇮 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝 🇫🇮
Can’t wait to cheer on Juuso Välimäki as he helps represent Finland in the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off! pic.twitter.com/svww9x1N7Z
— Utah Hockey Club (@utahhockeyclub) December 4, 2024
In 19 games this season, Valimaki has recorded one assist, 18 blocks and seven hits while averaging 16:54 minutes a night. Meanwhile, after being traded to Utah a few weeks back, Maatta has posted two assists, 34 blocks and five hits in 15 games while averaging nearly 21 minutes a game.
“It’s an honor…it’s always been one of those big goals to represent my country on the big stages. This is as big as it gets as of now…really excited to be a part of it,” Valimaki said.
Juuso Valimaki on being selected to Finlands 4 Nations Roster: “It’s an honor…it’s always been one of those big goals to represent my country on the big stages. This is as big as it gets as of now…really excited to be a part of it.”#UtahHC pic.twitter.com/lVWhtEHDxC
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) December 4, 2024
“These are awesome moments…as players we’re excited. I’m sure the hockey world is excited too,” Maatta added.
Team Canada and USA’s rosters will be announced later this evening at 4:30 pm MT. Utah Hockey Club Captain Clayton Keller is the only remaining Utah player expected to make a roster.
The Utah Hockey Club will now travel to Buffalo for the first of a two-game Eastern road trip against the Sabres. The game can be viewed on SEG+. Fans can also tune in on air on the KSL Sports APP or on 97.5 and 1280 The Zone. Click here for the full schedule.
