Juuso Ainasto, an 18-year-old goaltender from Kerava, Finland, was selected by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the third round, 85th overall, in the 2026 NHL Draft. The 6-foot-4, 198-pound netminder was ranked 14th among European goaltenders by NHL Central Scouting heading into draft weekend.
Scouts highlight Ainasto’s movement as his standout trait. He’s described as an explosive skater with quick footwork, and his game really shines in the butterfly, where he maintains his form while moving to take away as much net as possible — a technique he uses to challenge shooters aggressively rather than simply reacting. He’s also fast side-to-side, able to zip across the crease and beat pucks on push power alone, and he recovers quickly from extensions to get back into a ready stance.
Ainasto played his draft season with Jokerit’s U20 program in Finland’s junior ranks, continuing his development as one of the more athletically gifted goaltenders in this draft class.
Stats and info via EliteProspects.com
Frequently Asked Questions
What team drafted Juuso Ainasto?
Juuso Ainasto was selected by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the third round, 85th overall, in the 2026 NHL Draft.
What team did Juuso Ainasto play for before the draft?
He played for Jokerit’s U20 team in Finland’s junior ranks.
How was Juuso Ainasto ranked heading into the draft?
NHL Central Scouting ranked him 14th among European goaltenders in the 2026 class.
What’s Juuso Ainasto’s playing style?
Scouts describe him as an explosive, athletic mover with a particularly strong butterfly technique, using his form and movement together to take away net from shooters.
How tall is Juuso Ainasto?
He stands 6-foot-4 and weighs 198 pounds, and catches left-handed.
