Making his second trip to the annual international U-20 tournament, Lundell previously helped Finland capture a gold medal in 2019. Turning heads as a 17-year-old, he racked up four points (one goal, three assists) in seven contests, including assisting on the golden goal in the final.
With the championship game tied 2-2 late in the third period, Kaapo Kakko banged home a rebound following a shot from Lundell from just outside the crease lift Finland to a 3-2 win over USA. Moments earlier, Lundell also won an offensive zone faceoff that set up the series of events.
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Unfortunately, Lundell was denied a chance to defend that championship with Finland at the 2020 World Juniors after he was forced to miss the tournament while dealing with an injury.
"I'm really excited," Lundell said last month. "This week we had our camp with our U-20 national team. We weren't able to play any games, but it was a really good and fun week with the team. As we prepare for the World Juniors, it will help a lot. We've got more chemistry and I got to know every guy better."
In the midst of his third season in Liiga, Lundell, who was taken by the Florida Panthers in the first round (12th overall) of the 2020 NHL Draft, is currently one of the most talked about players heading into the tournament thanks in large part to his torrid start to the 2020-21 campaign.
As it stands now, he ranks fourth in Liiga in scoring with 20 points (12 goals, eight assists) through 17 games with HIFK. Additionally, his 12 goals are also good enough to place him in a tie for second and are already two more than the career-high 10 he accumulated in 2019-20.
From Oct. 13-28, he tallied eight points (seven goals, one assist) over a three-game span.
"I can create chances for myself and my linemates," Lundell said at the draft. "At the same time, I think I can play a really good two-way game. I want to be a trusted player who the coach can trust on the ice in every situation."
Lundell will be joined on Finland's roster at the World Juniors by defenseman Kasper Puutio, who was selected by the Panthers in the fifth round (153rd overall) of the 2020 NHL Draft.
For more updates on Panthers prospects at the World Juniors, stay tuned to FloridaPanthers.com.
\Photo courtesy of HIFK/Juuso Pellava*
