A Calgary Flames prospect will be getting an opportunity to audition for a World Junior roster spot later this month. 2022 second-rounder Topi Ronni will be playing for Finland in an upcoming junior tournament in the Czech Republic from Nov. 9-13.

The tournament in Ostrava is a bit unique. Five teams are participating: two each from Finland and Czechia, plus one Swedish team. It’s the final under-20 event prior to World Junior camp rosters being announced at the beginning of December.

Ronni has been limited to just three games in 2022-23 due to an injury and then an illness, but when he’s played he’s been really good. As a result of his play in August’s under-20 tournament – the tournament where he was originally injured – he’s earned a spot on Finland’s “main” roster in Ostrava, featuring the players with the inside track on World Junior spots. (The other team is the “challenger” group, full of younger or less established Finns.)

The 2023 World Juniors take place over the holiday season and are hosted by Halifax and Moncton.