The Toronto Maple Leafs have picked Juuso Ainasto with the 85th overall pick of the 2026 NHL Draft. Ainasto is a 6’4 goalie from the Finnish junior league who got a taste of U20 hockey this season.
Ainasto player profile
Ainasto is a project. He’s got great size and a great butterfly, but struggled after being promoted to U20, posting an .892 save percentage in 14 games.
He’s confident in net, making flashy saves with good mobility for his frame. His anticipation and recognition definitely need work, but at just 18, he has a ton of time to grow. Ainasto is a pure dart throw, but the Leafs have a great track record when it comes to drafting goalies.
| Season | Team | League | GP | W | GAA | SV % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023–24 | KJT Haukat U16 | U16 SM-sarja | 34 | 19 | 2.65 | .920 |
| 2024–25 | Jokerit U18 | U18 SM-sarja | 19 | 10 | 2.90 | .906 |
| 2025–26 | Jokerit U20 | U20 SM-sarja | 14 | 6 | 3.28 | .892 |
Analyzing the pick
The Leafs have been great at drafting goalies, and now they have another to develop. It’ll be years before Ainasto makes an impact in North America, and so the fit isn’t much of a worry.
All that matters is that Ainasto improves his game in U20 next season and continues to improve. The size is already there, and hopefully Toronto has another high-ceiling goalie prospect moving forward.
What’s next for Ainasto
Ainasto will be back in Finland next season, playing U20 hockey again for Jokerit. How quickly he rises the Finnish hockey ranks will determine his move to North America, but it will be a few years before that happens.
