Soini split his season across multiple levels, suiting up for Ilves in Liiga, their U20 squad, and representing Finland internationally. The stat line (one goal, five assists in 26 games across levels) does not jump off the page, but the context matters. He is a 2006-born right-shot defenseman playing in a men’s league at 19/20, and the scouting reports consistently point to the physical and defensive tools that NHL organizations value. EP’s draft guide noted solid mobility and good four-step quickness in breaking forechecks. At 6-2, 187 pounds, the frame is already pro-ready, and the right shot at defense is a premium asset. He played on Finland’s top pairing at the World Junior Summer Showcase and was scouted by EP’s Lassi Alanen in both games. The DobberProspects observation pegged him as a “better in real life than fantasy” defenseman, and until the offensive output grows, that assessment holds. Minnesota took him one pick after Kiviharju and views both as long-term blue-line investments. Fantasy relevance is minimal. Soini projects as a bottom-pair shutdown defenseman with limited scoring upside, making him a pass in standard formats. Deep dynasty holders can monitor if the Liiga role expands in 2026-27.

Soini certainly earned his frequent flier miles in 2024-2025, suiting up for Ilves in the Liiga, their U20 squad in the SM-Sarja, representing Finland in the WJC, and playing some games in the Championship Series. All told, he played 26 games, and provided a goal and five assists throughout. The fifth-round pick by Minnesota should get a chance to plant his skates in the Liiga next season and try to build some consistency. He has looked the part of a two-way, ‘better in real life than in fantasy’ defenseman so far, and until he piques our interest with some offensive output, he isn’t worth a stash at the present time.

Soini was selected 140th overall by the Minnesota Wild.

DRAFTPRO – 2024 7-ROUND CONTRIBUTOR MOCK DRAFT

129. Ottawa Senators (From FLA) – Sebastian Soini D Ilves U20 (U20 SM-sarja)

SUMMARY: A good defensive defender with good mobility. Doesn’t produce much offensively, but this will develop over time. Uses his size and reach to his advantage to defend the rush. – Samuel Laplante

ROUND 5

DRAFTPRO 2024 NHL DRAFT COMBINE REVIEW

Anaerobic Fitness (Wingate Test): Mean Power Output (watts/kg)F Jett Luchanko – 12.9D Alexis Bernier – 12.8F Linus Eriksson – 12.7D Sebastian Soini – 12.7F Aatos Koivu – 12.6

Anaerobic Fitness (Wingate Test): Peak Power Output (watts/kg)F AJ Spellacy – 18.3F Maxim Massé – 18.1F Linus Eriksson – 18.0D Ben Danford – 18.0F Michael Brandsegg-Nygård – 17.9

Anaerobic Fitness (Wingate Test): Fatigue IndexF Oliver Josephson – 35.1F Ondrej Becher – 39.7F Ryder Ritchie – 40.5F Emil Hemming – 40.9F Christian Humphreys – 41.6

Wing Span (inches)F Dean Letourneau – 83.25D Gabriel Eliasson – 81.00D EJ Emery – 80.75D Jesse Pulkkinen – 80.75F Erik Mateiko – 80.25

Body Composition Yuhasz % Body FatD EJ Emery – 3.64D Sam Dickinson – 3.64F Ethan Procyszyn – 6.84F Simon Zether – 7.11G Mikhail Yegorov – 7.11

Force Plate: Vertical Jump (inches)D EJ Emery – 27.23F Jett Luchanko – 24.63D Veeti Vaisanen – 24.22D Will Skahan – 23.88D Stian Solberg – 23.84

Force Plate: Squat Jump (inches)F Jack Pridham – 19.52F Aatos Koivu – 19.08F Linus Eriksson – 18.96D EJ Emery – 18.82F Tij Iginla – 18.38

Force Plate: No Arm Jump (inches)D EJ Emery – 23.57D Veeti Vaisanen – 21.91F Jack Pridham – 21.21F Jett Luchanko – 21.11F Linus Eriksson – 20.75

Musculoskeletal: Bench Press 50% Body Weight – Power (watts/kg)F Cole Beaudoin – 8.71D Lukas Fischer – 8.26F John Mustard – 7.78F Cayden Lindstrom – 7.69D Sebastian Soini – 7.54

Sebastian Soini is a defensive defenseman with a profile that NHL organizations tend to appreciate. The mobile, right-handed defender has proved this season that he can play composed and mature hockey amongst the men. Soini uses his size to his advantage when clearing opponents from the net. He has good gap control that allows him to defend the rush effectively. – Anni Karvinen

Sebastian Soini is Finnish blueliner, who’s put up a solid season playing mostly in Mestis, the second Finnish pro league. The most notable thing with Soini’s play has been his composure under pressure. He can make good decisions with the puck in his own end and that combined with his good frame (6’2″ & 194 lbs) is something that NHL organizations like to see. – Anni Karvinen