MLive’s Ansar Khan posted an article this morning in which he discusses the Red Wings’ 8 World Junior Championship participants with Red Wings director of player development Shawn Horcoff. Here’s a player who I feel gets lost in the shuffle at times:
Eemil Viro, Finland
Position: Defense
Height/Weight: 6-0/165
Drafted: No. 70 in 2020
Team: TPS Turku (Finland)
2021-22 stats: 26 GP, 1 G, 2 A, 3 PT
He is a smart, undersized defender who has fared well in Finland’s top men’s league and is expected to play in Grand Rapids next season.
“He’s not he biggest guy, but he has good compete, he moves the puck well and when he’s playing simple, he’s at his best,” Horcoff said. “He’s not a guy who’s going to be flashy or blow you away offensively. But he can still make plays. I don’t think you’ll see him in an offensive role for Finland, but you will see him in a defensive role, playing against other teams’ top lines, killing penalties and just a real good defender that brings real good energy. He’s a guy who’ll come over here next year and take another step forward in our development program.”
