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Ville Koivunen

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Ville Koivunen
Koivunen at the 2022 World Junior Championships
Born (2003-06-13) 13 June 2003 (age 21)
Oulu, Finland
Height 5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Weight 161 lb (73 kg; 11 st 7 lb)
Position Forward
Shoots Left
NHL team (P)
Cur. team
Former teams		 Pittsburgh Penguins
WBS Penguins (AHL)
Oulun Kärpät
NHL draft 51st overall, 2021
Carolina Hurricanes
Playing career 2021–present

Ville Koivunen (born 13 June 2003) is a Finnish professional ice hockey forward for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract to the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted in the second round, 51st overall, by the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2021 NHL entry draft.

Playing career

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During the 2020–21 season, he served as an alternate captain and recorded 23 goals and 26 assists in 38 games with Oulun Kärpät's junior team in Finland's top junior league, U20 SM-sarja. He was subsequently named the league's Rookie of the Year and selected to the Second All-Star Team after he ranked third in the league in goals and points.[1]

In May 2021, Koivunen signed a three-year contract with Kärpät.[2] In July, he was drafted in the second round, 51st overall, by the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2021 NHL entry draft.[3] On 15 August 2021, the Hurricanes signed Koivunen to a three-year, entry-level contract.[4] He made his professional debut for Kärpät during the 2021–22 season; he was a finalist for the Jarmo Wasama Memorial Trophy, awarded to the Liiga rookie of the year.[5]

On 7 March 2024, Koivunen was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins, along with Michael Bunting, Cruz Lucius, Vasili Ponomaryov and two conditional 2024 draft picks, in exchange for Jake Guentzel and Ty Smith.[6]

Koivunen began the 2024–25 season with the Penguins' AHL affiliate, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. On 29 March 2025, Koivunen was recalled by the Penguins. Prior to being recalled he recorded 21 goals and 34 assists in 62 games. His 21 goals are the most by a WBS rookie player since Daniel Sprong scored 32 goals during the 2017–18 season.[7] He made his NHL debut the next day in a game against the Ottawa Senators.[8] On 3 April 2025, in a game against the St. Louis Blues, he scored his first career NHL point, recording the primary assist on Rutger McGroarty's first career NHL goal.[9] He ultimately appeared in seven NHL games during the season, recording five assists. In the AHL, he led Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in scoring, and was named to the league's All-Rookie Team.[10]

International play

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Medal record
Representing  Finland
Ice hockey
World Junior Championships
Silver medal – second place 2022 Canada

Koivunen represented Finland under-18 team at the 2021 IIHF World U18 Championships where he recorded four goals and six assists in seven games.[11] He represented Finland junior team at the 2022 World Junior Championships and won a silver medal.[12]

Career statistics

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Regular season and playoffs

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Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2020–21 Oulun Kärpät U20 38 23 26 49 16 5 0 4 4 0
2021–22 Oulun Kärpät Liiga 53 11 18 29 20 6 1 0 1 0
2022–23 Oulun Kärpät Liiga 52 12 16 28 26 3 0 1 1 0
2022–23 Chicago Wolves AHL 12 1 0 1 4 — — — — —
2023–24 Oulun Kärpät Liiga 59 22 34 56 26 12 5 8 13 14
2023–24 Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins AHL — — — — — 2 1 1 2 2
2024–25 Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins AHL 63 21 35 56 52 2 0 2 2 2
2024–25 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL 8 0 7 7 4 — — — — —
Liiga totals 164 45 68 113 72 21 6 9 15 14
NHL totals 8 0 7 7 4 — — — — —

International

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Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2019 Finland U17 7th 5 0 2 2 2
2021 Finland U18 4th 7 4 6 10 0
2022 Finland WJC 2nd place, silver medalist(s) 6 0 0 0 0
2023 Finland WJC 5th 5 0 2 2 0
Junior totals 23 4 10 14 2

References

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  1. ^ Bell, Josh (26 March 2021). "Koivunen named U20 SM-sarja rookie of the year". nhlentrydraft.com. Retrieved 19 December 2021.
  2. ^ "Konkarihyökkääjä Aaltonen jatkaa Kärpissä, myös kuudelle nuorelle liigasopimukset". Jatkoaika.com – Kaikki jääkiekosta. 28 May 2021.
  3. ^ "Canes Select 13 Players on Second Day of Draft". NHL.com. 24 July 2021. Retrieved 19 December 2021.
  4. ^ "Canes Sign Ville Koivunen to Entry-Level Contract". NHL.com. 15 August 2021. Retrieved 19 December 2021.
  5. ^ "Wasama-palkinto 2022 – Yksi heistä on vuoden tulokas Liigassa". liiga.fi.
  6. ^ "Penguins Acquire Forwards Michael Bunting, Ville Koivunen, Vasily Ponomarev, Cruz Lucius and Conditional 2024 First-Round and Fifth-Round Draft Picks from the Carolina Hurricanes in Exchange for Jake Guentzel and Ty Smith". NHL.com. 7 March 2024. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
  7. ^ Crechiolo, Michelle (29 March 2025). "Rookie Duo Rewarded: Penguins Call Up McGroarty, Koivunen". NHL.com. Retrieved 29 March 2025.
  8. ^ Crechiolo, Michelle (31 March 2025). "Crosby, Malkin… and Ville: A Childhood Dream Fulfilled". NHL.com. Retrieved 31 March 2025.
  9. ^ Crechiolo, Michelle (3 April 2025). "McGroarty Scores First NHL Goal, Koivunen Gets First NHL Point". NHL.com. Retrieved 3 April 2025.
  10. ^ "AHL announces 2024–25 All-Rookie Team". TheAHL.com. 16 April 2025. Retrieved 21 April 2025.
  11. ^ Bell, Josh (18 April 2021). "Tuomaala, Lambert headline Finland's U18 roster". nhlentrydraft.com. Retrieved 19 December 2021.
  12. ^ "10 Canes Prospects Selected For World Juniors". NHL.com. 15 December 2021. Retrieved 19 December 2021.
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