Aug. 6, 2007
UNIVERSITY PARK, PA., Aug. 6, 2007 - Penn State junior Joonas Suotamo (Espoo, Finland) will compete with the Finnish National Team at the 24th World University Games, Aug. 7-18, in Bangkok, Thailand.
The 6-10, 230-pound forward had been training with his Nittany Lion teammates in State College before leaving over the weekend to join his national team. This will mark Suotamo's second stint with the Finnish team at the World University Games, which are held every two years. He has been a strong player for the Finnish team the past several summers having success last year at the European Junior Championships and in 2005 at the World University Games and the U20 Championships.
Finland will begin pool competition in the 24-team field on Aug. 7 when it takes on Russia. The World University Games are comprised of nearly 8,000 athletes from more than 150 countries that are between the ages of 17-28 and not more than one year removed from university enrollment.
Suotamo is one of eight returning lettermen for the Nittany Lions in 2007-08. He played in 18 games as a sophomore.