Juho Virtanen '24 Recruiting Profile

Since I was a little kid I have always dreamed of playing in the NCAA, but living and growing in Finland made the dream feel absurd and so far away. Last year when I moved to Canada to combine my athletics with my academics, that dream became a goal. Because of the chance I have been given, I will do my absolute best, on and off the ice, to achieve my goal, the collegiate level in academics and athletics.

As a player, I see myself as an excellent skater, a two-way defenseman with a great hockey IQ. Because of my skating, the way I read the game and make quick decisions, I am able to make plays, open and control the game. I create great scoring chances on the blue line, because of my decision-making and puck management. And I wouldn't say I have bad shot either. I do a solid job in defensive 1-on-1 plays in every zone of the ice, whether against an opponent with or without the puck. I will do my best as a team member by blocking shots, killing penalties, and being a leader physically and mentally on the ice.

I see myself as a creative, hard-working, competitive, and ambitious student-athlete. People often describe me as a positive, smart and passionate person. I believe that all of these features describe me also perfectly as a hockey player. As an athlete, I stand out because of my power, mobility, balance and my explosive and precise characteristics. In my view, these attributes are extremely important for a modern-time defenseman.

Elite Prospects:

https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/796206/juho-virtanen