Top 5 Finnish goalie prospects

[hellofriends]

Ortio is ranked #4

4. Joni Ortio, 18, TPS (A Juniors), Calgary
6th round, 171st overall, 2009
The second of three Finnish goalies picked in the 2009 draft, Ortio is another prospect working under the tutelage of Ylonen – playing for both the TPS A juniors and Turku’s Mestis club, TuTo – as well as making his SM-Liiga debut in three games this season.
Ortio, a sixth-round selection of the Calgary Flames, made a name for himself at the 2009 U-18 World Championships – leading the Finns to an improbable run including a come-from-behind, shootout win over Canada in the bronze medal game.

In addition to his experience in Finland, Ortio has gotten quite a bit of exposure in North America – both last year in Fargo and this past winter as the starter for Team Finland at the U-20 World Championships in Saskatchewan. There is a good chance that he will return to Western Canada next season – playing for Swift Current, who own his CHL rights.

http://www.hockeysfuture.com/article...lie_prospects/

[Azure]

Would be awesome if he came to play in the CHL.

[Vulcan]

The thing about leaving him in Finland to mature, we can wait as long as needed (I think this is still the case). If he comes over here, we only have 4 years to keep him protected after we sign him. If we don't sign him we lose his rights like Juuso Puustinen.

[Swayze11]

nvm

[3 Justin 3]

Why wasn't a surprise when I saw Nashville had the #1. They have so many damn good prospects. They're a team who will never go away me thinks.

Good to see Ortio make the list. I am hoping he'll be our future #1.

[Itse]

Ylönen is a very good goalie trainer, it's good for Ortio to stay in Finland.

[Super-Rye]

Not one of them selected before the fourth round. Goalies have crazy development curves.

I look forward to seeing more of Ortio, seems like he's turning into a good prospect.

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

I was just thinking about how/when Ortio could finally get into the Flames organization.

Since Toskala's contract runs out this season (2010). We have 2 choices: Sign Toskala for a cheap short-term deal or bring up one of Shantz, Keetley, or Irving.

I would rather have Toskala be signed for another year or so than bring up one the Heat goalies.

Ortio can eventually make his way up to Swift Current to learn the North American system (similar to what Backlund did for that short period in Kelowna). However, since goalies are often late bloomers, Swift Current could hold onto Ortio for a 2 or 3 years and then by that time there will be space for him in Abby.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Pierre "Monster" McGuire

I was just thinking about how/when Ortio could finally get into the Flames organization.

Since Toskala's contract runs out this season (2010). We have 2 choices: Sign Toskala for a cheap short-term deal or bring up one of Shantz, Keetley, or Irving.

I would rather have Toskala be signed for another year or so than bring up one the Heat goalies.

Ortio can eventually make his way up to Swift Current to learn the North American system (similar to what Backlund did for that short period in Kelowna). However, since goalies are often late bloomers, Swift Current could hold onto Ortio for a 2 or 3 years and then by that time there will be space for him in Abby.

Ortio only has one year left of junior hockey unless he plays as an overager for another year and as I said Shantz isn't Flames property but I agree, sign Toskala cheap for another year.