Flyers Trade Up to Draft Finnish Center Heikki Ruohonen at #107

One of the Philadelphia Flyers’ moves of the day involved trading their 150th and 177th picks to the Calgary Flames, allowing them to move up and secure the 107th spot to select Heikki Ruohonen, a center from Finland. 

Heikki Ruohonen we see you😎 Finland ends the second period 0-2#U18MensWorlds @leijonat pic.twitter.com/mPJckdcIKF

— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) April 25, 2024

At 18 years old, Ruohonen stands at 6’2” and weighs 205 pounds, making him an imposing presence on the ice. 

Ruohonen has spent the past two seasons honing his skills with the Kiekko-Espoo U20 team, even earning an “A” on his jersey this season.

His offensive output has seen significant improvement, with his most recent season producing 20 goals and 27 assists, an increase from his previous season’s tally of 3 goals and 10 assists. 

According to the EliteProspects 2024 NHL Draft Guide, Ruohonen is described as:

“…a two-way center who drives play, pushes the pace, and has some power forward qualities. He uses explosive weight shifts to beat defenders to the inside. Outworking opponents for body positioning and using contact as an advantage.” 

Flyers fans should note that Ruohonen is committed to Harvard University for the 2026-27 season. This commitment means that while his arrival to the Flyers’ roster may take a few seasons, the wait promises to be worthwhile. 

The strategic trade to acquire Heikki Ruohonen at 107th overall demonstrates the Flyers’ dedication to building a strong future.