Aarne Talvitie

March 2022 – Talvitie’s 19 points in 53 games in Utica sits 13th overall on the team, and the prospect hasn’t been much of a difference-maker at the AHL level so far. At 22 years of age, Talvitie’s NHL window of opportunity is rapidly closing. Hadi Kalakeche

March 2020 – Talvitte’s play continued to drop off over the final ten games of the Penn State season as he totaled just four points in ten games. One important fact to consider is that at least scoring chances and shot volume remained about the same. Talvitte likely needs another year in college at least.  Chris Wassel 

January 2020 – Talvitie cooled off a hair but still has five goals and 15 points in 20 games. The important thing is the center has been able to stay healthy while still contributing well for the Nittany Lions.  Chris Wassel

November 2019 – Talvitie is off and running again including a hat trick for Penn State. He is averaging a point a game in seven contests. The center looks 100% recovered from the knee injury that wrecked his 2018-19 campaign. Chris Wassel

March 2019 – Talvitie was impressing all the right people with seven points in seven games for Finland at the 2019 World Junior Championships. That included four goals and a tenacious presence that drove even some Canadian players mad. It is that relentless nature that endeared him to Penn State fans. Also, he managed to score five goals and 16 points in 17 games for the university. That was before a knee injury in January ended his season. He should be healthy for his sophomore season at Penn State. As Penn State coaches remarked, “Aarne is faster than we saw in the game film…much faster”. Chris Wassel

July 2018 – Talvitie is having a strong summer and has given the Devils yet another potential late round steal. Selected in the sixth round of the 2017 NHL draft, Talvitie has continued to improve his stock at every stop. He had a good development camp with the Devils and is now representing Finland this summer. In a two-game series against the Czech Republic, he was playing on the top line with 2018 third overall selection Jesperi Kotkaniemi and scored two goals in a 9-3 rout in game one. Talvitie has also been rostered for the Summer Showcase Tournament. Another good showing and the Penn State commitment might find his way on to the World Junior Championship roster this winter. Keep this kid on your radar. Kelly Bowler

August 2017 – Talvitie was another Devils prospect who had a strong showing at the World Junior Summer Showcase. The Finnish center scored twice during the tournament and elevated his game enough to play top line minutes in the final games. The Penn State commitment has options to play in either the USHL or Finland next year, but no decision has been made yet. Grant Frey

July 2017 – Effective at even strength, on the power play or killing penalties, Talvitie’s a diligent, puck-distributing teammate with a dangerous and quick release on his heavy shot. Solid playmaking skills help him drive his line from the pivot, as does his ability to receive and fire pucks at the net in stride. Not huge at 5-11, 198-pounds he makes the most of his intuition and positioning chops as a defensive asset, utilizing quick skating speed and strong arms to knock opponents off the puck. Collects frequent penalty minutes with 155 in 164 Finnish juniors contests. Finished the U18 World Championships with four goals and three assists in seven games serving as captain for Team Finland. A 2018-19 Penn State commit. Kevin Wickersham