Iivari Heikkinen Targets Regular Liiga Spot with Ilves

Iivari Heikkinen, 22, from Oulu, enters his third season in Ilves's organisation and is pushing for a regular place in the Liiga lineup.

His hockey journey began around age six, progressing through Kärpät's junior ranks before two U20 seasons with Porin Ässät that ended in the 2023–24 U20 Finnish championship. His first year in the club's U20 setup proved tougher than expected. Last season was a turnaround: he split time between the U20s and Liiga, spent a loan spell at Vaasan Sport where he scored five goals in 13 games, and gained valuable senior-level experience.

A fractured ulna cost him the U20 final and curtailed his summer training. He shifted his preparation to lower-body work, improved his test results and says he feels the best he has ever felt physically. Now he's healthy.

He calls the internal competition for minutes a positive factor and wants a full, healthy season to establish himself in the senior squad. He also urged supporters to pack the arena and make some noise.

The bid for a roster spot comes as Ilves prepares for an expanded 2026–27 Liiga season and leans on younger players as the club builds its roster. Its U20 side remains an active pathway for prospects into the senior team and will again provide reinforcement this season.