ST. PAUL, Mn – Barrie Colts forward Emil Hemming has been named an assistant captain for Finland at the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship.
Hemming earns the leadership role following a strong start to his second OHL season with Barrie. Through 17 games, the Vaasa, Finland native sits third in the OHL in points per game, recording 28 points with eight goals. He has been a consistent driver of offence while playing key minutes in all situations for the Colts.
Finland announced its five-player leadership group on Friday while the team continues its pre-tournament camp in Duluth, Minnesota. Defenceman Aron Kiviharju was named captain, with Hemming joining Heikki Ruohonen, Julius Miettinen, and Joona Saarelainen as assistant captains for the 2026 tournament.
The leadership selections were confirmed by head coach Lauri Mikkola, with Finland set to finalize its World Junior roster on Christmas Eve. The group reflects a mix of returning experience and players trusted in key roles throughout the lineup.
Selected by Barrie in the first round of the 2024 CHL Import Draft, Hemming has continued to build on his impact after joining the league last season. His play in the OHL has helped position him among Finland’s top forwards heading into the tournament.
Internationally, Hemming returns to the World Juniors after helping Finland capture a silver medal at last year’s championship. His leadership experience also includes serving as an assistant captain with TPS U20 during the 2023-24 season.
Hemming was selected 29th overall by the Dallas Stars in the first round of the 2024 NHL Draft and remains a key piece of Finland’s forward group for the 2026 event.
The 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship runs from December 26 to January 5 in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota.
As the official Canadian broadcast partners of the IIHF World Junior Championship, TSN and RDS will air select games featuring international teams. Viewers are encouraged to check their local listings for full broadcast details.
For more information on the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship, please visit iihf.com, or follow through social media on Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok.
