Swift Current drafted Ortio in CHL Import Draft. There's pros and cons for either option, whether staying in Finland or coming over to Canada.
Someone already mentioned goalie coach Urpo Ylönen who has made amazing job with TPS goalies like Kipper, Niittymäki, Hurme, Norrena and Alexander Salak. He is the biggest reason why Ortio should stay in Finland, he can do miracles. Salak (who signed with Florida) came to Finland three years ago and played in Mestis (1. division). He had terrible technique and even 13-year-olds were better techniquelly but still he was one of the better goalies in the league and showed potential. TPS signed him after one season and people laughed because they thought Salak wasn't good enough to play in SM-Liiga. Now people are eating crow when Salak got NHL contract and was IMO the best goalie in the league. Ylönen did amazing job with Salak, change of form from very raw goalie to the best goalie in the league just in two years is simply amazing.
Ortio has stated that he wants to play in men league next season but TPS has two goalies ahead of him, Atte Engren and David Leggio. They both are question marks and Ortio might even have change to break in SM-Liiga if Engren/Leggio combo doesn't work. Well, that's unlikely, Ortio isn't Kari Lehtonen. Ortio was last season one of the best goalies in Junior A and he has nothing to prove in that level anymore. Mestis would be best choice for his development, play against men but it's unlikely he would get started job because Mestis is much better league than Junior A.
So staying in Finland would mean starter job in Junior A or back-up role in any other league. For such talented goalie back-up role isn't option. He needs and he wants to play as many games as possible and Swift Current would offer that possibility.
From 2000 to 2008 27 Finns got drafted and just 3 didn't report to CHL team. It's very likely that you will see Ortio, Rajala, Pulkkinen and other drafted Finns playing in the WHL next season.
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