EDMONTON, AB - DECEMBER 30: Topi Niemela #7, Roni Hirvonen #22, Anton Lundell #15 and Kasper Simontaival #29 of Finland celebrate a goal against Slovakia during the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship at Rogers Place on December 30, 2020 in Edmonton, Canada. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)
Toronto Maple Leafs defensive prospect Topi Niemela was named top defenseman at the World Junior Hockey Championships (WJHC) last night.
If they didn’t know the name already, Toronto Maple Leafs fans are fully aware of who Topi Niemela is now. Niemela wasn’t even on our top ten prospect list this year, but his performance is sure to earn him consideration on our next update.