Astana 2025 Team Preview: Get to know Finland

The 2025 World Para Ice Hockey Championships B-Pool will take place from 6-11 September in Astana, Kazakhstan, with six national teams competing in 15 games over six days. Hosted by the Kazakhstan Para Hockey Federation at the Tarlan Arena, participating nations will include Italy, Japan, Sweden, Kazakhstan, France and Finland. 

The top two finishers from the round-robin tournament event will earn promotion to the A-Pool for the 2027 season and spots at the Milano-Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games. The bottom finisher will be released to the C-Pool for next season.

The vibrant host city, Astana, is the capital of Kazakhstan and is the country’s second-largest city with over one million residents. It is home to several professional ice hockey teams, including Barys Astana, which forms the core of the Kazakh national squad competing at the 2025 IIHF World Championship. This will be the 11th edition of B-Pool Worlds and the fourth time it is held in Asia. 

Here’s a look at Team Finland.

Background

Finland, seeded No. 6, is a team on the rise with a proud tradition in ice sports and growing ambitions in Para ice hockey. Finland is back in the B-Pool for the third time in its history after winning the C-Pool World Championships in 2024. It marked the third time Finland won a medal at the C-Pool Worlds, having taken silver in 2018 and 2016. The team last appeared in the B-Pool event in 2023, and it has now its sights set on staying in this tier and eventually securing a spot in the Paralympic Winter Games for the first time. 

World Championships History 

2024: Gold (C-Pool)
2023: 6th place (B-Pool)
2021: 5th place (B-Pool)
2018: Silver (C-Pool) 
2016: Silver (C-Pool)

Roster

Forwards: Aaron Hanninen, Tuomo Niskanen, Juhamatti Himanen, Harri Kangastie, Markku Hirvela 
Defenders: Aki Alestalo, Lasse Pakarinen, Nemo Pajula 
Goaltenders: Pasi Heikkila, Timo Karko
Head Coach: Jari Harkala

Athlete to Watch

One athlete stands out as a true linchpin for Finland is Nemo Pajula, who earned the Best Defenseman accolade at the 2024 C‑Pool tournament in Bangkok. Pajula’s remarkable performance — netting 5 goals and 8 assists for a total of 13 points, tying for the top scoring spot among Finns — demonstrates not only his offensive impact from the blue line but also his composure and effectiveness in high-pressure scenarios. Pajula’s ability to push forward while still anchoring the defense elevates Finland's overall dynamic on the ice.

Game Schedule 

Saturday, 6 September 
15:30 — Finland vs. Italy 

Sunday, 7 September 
12:00 — Sweden vs. Finland

Monday, 8 September 
12:00 — France vs. Finland

Wednesday, 10 September 
12:00 — Finland vs. Japan 

Thursday, 11 September 
19:00 — Kazakhstan vs. Finland