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Blackhawks' Henri Jokiharju: Healthy scratch Sunday

Jokiharju has one assist and a minus-3 rating in four games since returning from the 2019 IIHF World Junior Championship. Although it's not ideal for the 19-year-old's development to watch from the press box, the Blackhawks have seven capable, healthy defensemen, and his absence will open the door for Slater Koekkoek to re-enter the lineup.

Blackhawks' Henri Jokiharju: Back in action

Jokiharju has been away from the team since Dec. 18 while representing his native Finland in the World Junior Hockey Championship. The rookie blueliner should have plenty of spring in his step against the Predators, as he was able to help Finland take home the gold medal Saturday, as his team defeated the United States by a score of 3-2.

Blackhawks' Henri Jokiharju: Won't play Monday

Jokiharju has returned from Vancouver, where he helped Finland secure the gold medal at the World Junior Hockey Championships. He'll get to revel in the glory of that accomplishment while his teammates take the ice Monday, but Jokiharju can be expected to rejoin the Blackhawks' lineup Wednesday in Nashville.

Blackhawks' Henri Jokiharju: Expected back with team soon

The Finnish defender is coming off a gold medal victory at the World Junior Hockey Championships in Vancouver, British Columbia over the holidays. While it's unclear exactly when he'll be back in the lineup, Jokiharju will certainly play at some point over the coming week. The 19-year-old finished the tournament with five points in seven games.

Blackhawks' Henri Jokiharju: Loaned to Finnish junior team

The Blackhawks are going nowhere fast this season, so they'll use this opportunity to get their promising young blueliner some invaluable experience on the national stage. The World Junior tournament will be held in Vancouver from Dec. 26 to Jan. 5, so Jokiharju could miss Chicago's next eight games if Finland makes a deep run.