Tappara forward Oliver Suvanto has climbed to third among European skaters in the NHL Central Scouting final rankings ahead of the 2026 NHL Entry Draft in Buffalo.
The 17-year-old prospect secured a regular spot in the Finnish Liiga this season, debuting as the fourth-youngest goalscorer in Tappara history on September 10, 2025.
The 190-centimeter, 90-kilogram forward adapted quickly to the professional level, recording two goals and nine assists across 48 regular-season Liiga games.
Initially positioned as a winger, Suvanto transitioned into a reliable two-way center capable of playing on the penalty kill.
Suvanto signed a one-year contract extension with Tappara in April. He noted that the high standards and training environment prompted his move from TPS in 2024.
"Physical training, individual skills coaching, and excellent training facilities were appealing," Suvanto said.
The forward chose the club because its tactical system aligned across various junior levels and allowed individual creative freedom on the ice.
"There are pretty free hands to bring yourself forward, and it was also decisive that the playing style is similar across different age levels," Suvanto said.
Initially aiming to solidify his place in the Under-18 national team and play a full season with the Under-20 junior squad, Suvanto quickly exceeded his own expectations.
"Yes, it came as a surprise, I must admit. In the summer, I dreamed at most of getting to play a few Liiga games," Suvanto said.
The player opted for a shorter extension to keep international career progression paths available.
"Our team felt it made the most sense. An extension can also be made a year from now.
But if you already succeed in breaking through to North America, then that path is open too," Suvanto said.
Modeling his play style after elite NHL centers Aleksander Barkov and Sidney Crosby, Suvanto emphasizes team accomplishments over individual metrics.
"My mindset is more for the team than alone through the whole rink.
That thought probably also comes from upbringing, that you are not alone on this earth," Suvanto said.
In addition to completing over 90 games across different levels this season, Suvanto remained enrolled in high school courses.
"All courses have passed so far," Suvanto said.
Despite winning a Finnish championship with Tappara in May, Suvanto experienced postseason setbacks with the national under-20 and under-18 teams.
"It is a bit nerve-wracking. This end of the season did not go the way I wanted," Suvanto said.
The center remains focused on long-term development rather than draft day positions alone.
"On the surface, there are quite positive thoughts about the season, but there have been quite a lot of disappointments to deal with.
I have learned a lot. The experiences also give hunger for next season," Suvanto said.
Suvanto emphasized that his day-to-day work ethic will ultimately dictate his future success in North American professional hockey.
"It decides what happens after that. You really have to work humbly every day toward playing there (in the NHL) someday," Suvanto said.
Kasperi Saarinen, who coached Suvanto in the Tappara junior system before becoming the U20 head coach, attributed the player's quick adaptation to exceptional physical and mental resilience.
"Physical condition is of course at a really high level, and then there's the character with which he can pull everything out of his engine.
Backwards steps are not taken, even against men," Saarinen said.
According to Saarinen, Suvanto consistently performs at maximum effort during mandatory sessions and frequently completes extra individual training.
"His drive and determination are something exceptional.
For a guy like that, who can adapt and train so incredibly high-quality, a lot of things can happen surprisingly quickly," Saarinen said.
The coach credited Suvanto's maturity and leadership traits for making him an ideal player to guide on the ice.
"He is very close to a coach's dream player, an exceptional individual," Saarinen said.
