Roni Hirvonen

Roni Hirvonen (born 10 January 2002) is a Finnish professional ice hockey player who is currently playing for the Toronto Marlies in the American Hockey League (AHL) as a prospect to the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted 59th overall by the Maple Leafs in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, ranking within the top ten of European skaters of the NHL Central Scouting Bureau.

Liiga
Hirvonen played in 152 career games in Liiga with HIFK and Ässät. In 2021–22, his third year in Liiga, Hirvonen posted 9 goals and 26 points through 46 games. He returned to Liiga for the 2022–23 season where he scored 15 goals and 28 points in 57 games.

North American career
Hirvonen was drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League (NHL) in the second round, 59th overall, in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. Hirvonen was signed to a three-year, entry-level contract with Maple Leafs on 13 May 2022. On 7 July 2023 while attending the Maple Leafs development camp, he suffered a concussion when flattened by another prospect, former Sarnia Sting captain Nolan Dillingham-Morelli. He returned to action in September during a rookie tournament, playing alongside Dilligham-Morelli.

Hirvonen was invited to the Maple Leafs 2023 training camp, but was assigned to their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Toronto Marlies, for the start of the 2023–24 season. In his second AHL game on 15 October 2023, Hirvonen suffered a serious eye injury after being struck by a stick. He returned to the team on 28 January 2024.

International play
Hirvonen has played for Finland at several tournaments. He played for the team at the 2019 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, where he led the team in scoring, but Finland finished fourth. At the 2021 World Junior Championship, Hirvonen scored six points in seven games and Finland won the bronze. In his final tournament, he captained the team at the 2022 World Junior Championship, scoring seven points in seven games and took the silver medal.