Topias Leinonen

Topias Leinonen (born 25 January 2004) is a Finnish professional ice hockey goaltender for the Rochester Americans of the American Hockey League while under contract to the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League (NHL).^[1] Leinonen was selected 41st overall by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2nd round of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft.^[2][3]

Topias Leinonen
Leinonen at the 2020 Winter Youth Olympics
Born	(2004-01-25) 25 January 2004 (age 21) Jyväskylä, Finland
Height	6 ft 5 in (196 cm)
Weight	234 lb (106 kg; 16 st 10 lb)
Position	Goaltender
Catches	Left
NHL team (P) Cur. team Former teams	Buffalo Sabres Rochester Americans (AHL) JYP Jyväskylä Mora IK
NHL draft	41st overall, 2022 Buffalo Sabres
Playing career	2021–present

Playing career

After playing for Ilves in his youth, Leinonen moved to JYP Jyväskylä's Under-16 program.^[4] He played for the JYP Under-16 team in 2018-19, and the Under-18 team in 2019-20. After playing 15 for the Under-20 team in 2020-21, Leinonen played 21 games for the Under-20 team in the 2021-22 season and played 4 games in Liiga for the senior team.^[5][6]

In 2021-22 he spent time on loan with KeuPa HT of Mestis.^[7]

Going into the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, Leinonen was regarded as the top goaltending prospect^[7] and was ranked as the top European goalie by NHL Central Scouting.^[8] He was drafted 41st overall by the Buffalo Sabres, as the first goaltender selected in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft.^[3] He attended Buffalo Sabres Development Camp in 2022, 2023, and 2024.^[9][10]

Leinonen joined Mora IK in the HockeyAllsvenskan in the 2024-25 season.^[11] He played 25 games for Mora where he recorded a 2.31 goals against average and a .910 save percentage.^[5] On March 28, 2025, the Buffalo Sabres signed Leinonen to a 3-year, entry-level contract to begin in the 2025-26 season.^[12] He reported to the Rochester Americans on a professional tryout agreement for the remainder of the 2024-25 season before being released from the PTO in May.^[13][1]

Leinonen at Buffalo Sabres Development Camp in 2024

International play

Leinonen represented Finland at the 2020 Winter Youth Olympics,^[14] where he played 10 games with a .877 save percentage.^[15]

Leinonen represented Finland at the 2022 IIHF World U18 Championships,^[16] where he recorded a 2.61 goals against average and a .897 save percentage in 5 games played.^[5]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

				Regular season										Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	W	L	OTL	MIN	GA	SO	GAA	SV%		GP	W	L	MIN	GA	SO	GAA	SV%
2019–20	JYP	U20		22	—	—	—	—	68	—	—	.910		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2020–21	JYP	U20		15	—	—	—	—	41	—	2.59	.895		3	—	—	—	8	—	2.67	.860
2021–22	JYP	U20		21	9	10	0	1264	48	2	2.28	.916		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2021–22	JYP	Liiga		4	0	1	2	215	5	0	5.02	.825		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2021–22	KeuPa HT	Mestis		2	1	1	0	95	5	0	3.15	.861		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2022–23	JYP	U20		23	12	10	0			1	2.72	.885		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2022–23	JYP	Liiga		8	1	5	1	390	20	1	3.08	.858		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2022–23	KeuPa HT	Mestis		2	1	1	0	116	7	0	3.61	.868		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2023–24	JYP	U20		4	1	3	0			0	3.28	.871		7	3	4	—	—	1	2.78	.892
2023–24	JYP	Liiga		6	0	4	1	333	23	0	4.14	.844		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2023–24	KeuPa HT	Mestis		2	0	2	0	119	9	0	4.53	.850		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2024–25	Mora IK	Allsv		25	13	10	0	1454	56	4	2.31	.910		6	2	4	358	13	0	2.18	.929
Liiga totals				18	1	10	4	938	48	1	3.90	.844		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—

International

Year	Team	Event	Result		GP	W	L	OT	MIN	GA	SO	GAA	SV%
2022	Finland	U18			5	3	2	0	299	13	0	2.61	.897
Junior totals					5	3	2	0	299	13	0	2.61	.897