Finland's Uronen twins, Anttoni (left) and Eelis (right).
photo: © INTERNATIONAL ICE HOCKEY FEDERATION / CHRIS TANOUYE
In Men’s U18 World Championship history, there has only been one set of twins in action – until now.
Finnish duo Anttoni and Eelis Uronen are on their country’s roster in Slovakia this season – and the HIFK pair already combined for a goal in the opening 6-1 victory over Norway.
But while the Uronens agree that it’s a big privilege to play together for club and now country, they admit that the sibling rivalry is real.
“Our whole lives, we’ve been battling against each other,” said Eelis, who plays as a defender. “It’s always been a thing with us. Every practice.”
And it doesn’t matter what the contest is, as forward Anttoni explained. “We’re always trying to beat each other. Whether it’s golf, or hockey, or whatever. It doesn’t matter.”
Watching the brothers laugh and joke their way through the post-game mixed zone, it’s clear that this rivalry is entirely healthy. It began playing games with their dad, who was always eager to join in with his sons at an early age. Hockey turned out to be the sport that captured the imagination.
And it wasn’t just Anttoni and Eelis who love life on the ice. Big brother Tuomas, now 21, was the family’s trailblazer.
From their hometown in Kerava, not far north of Helsinki, he went to local club KJT Haukat and the twins followed. After KJT, Tuomas joined HIFK in the capital; his younger brothers followed suit in 2024.
And this year saw more joint milestones for Anttoni and Eelis. HIFK head coach Olli Jokinen handed both of them debuts in the Liiga, and they were both at the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup in the summer before joining up with the U18s for the World Championship.
Finnish duo Anttoni and Eelis Uronen are on their country’s roster in Slovakia this season – and the HIFK pair already combined for a goal in the opening 6-1 victory over Norway.
But while the Uronens agree that it’s a big privilege to play together for club and now country, they admit that the sibling rivalry is real.
“Our whole lives, we’ve been battling against each other,” said Eelis, who plays as a defender. “It’s always been a thing with us. Every practice.”
And it doesn’t matter what the contest is, as forward Anttoni explained. “We’re always trying to beat each other. Whether it’s golf, or hockey, or whatever. It doesn’t matter.”
Watching the brothers laugh and joke their way through the post-game mixed zone, it’s clear that this rivalry is entirely healthy. It began playing games with their dad, who was always eager to join in with his sons at an early age. Hockey turned out to be the sport that captured the imagination.
And it wasn’t just Anttoni and Eelis who love life on the ice. Big brother Tuomas, now 21, was the family’s trailblazer.
From their hometown in Kerava, not far north of Helsinki, he went to local club KJT Haukat and the twins followed. After KJT, Tuomas joined HIFK in the capital; his younger brothers followed suit in 2024.
And this year saw more joint milestones for Anttoni and Eelis. HIFK head coach Olli Jokinen handed both of them debuts in the Liiga, and they were both at the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup in the summer before joining up with the U18s for the World Championship.
Finland's Anttoni Uronen scores on Norway at the 2026 IIHF U18 Men's World Championship in Trencin, Slovkia
photo: © INTERNATIONAL ICE HOCKEY FEDERATION / CHRIS TANOUYE
Tuomas is now playing in the AHL with Henderson Silver Knights, and added World Junior silver to the U18 bronze he won in 2022. His influence remains.
“He’s our biggest idol,” said Anttoni. “Without him, I don’t think we would be at this level. He shows us how to train and everything.”
There’s an ocean between this close-knit family at the moment, but the boys are still in regular contact and hope that they might feature on the same team at some point in the future.
For now, though, big brother is a handy source of advice.
“We spoke before we came here,” said Eelis. “He told us to play with our own passion, not to stress too much. He said to play our own game.”
“He’s our biggest idol,” said Anttoni. “Without him, I don’t think we would be at this level. He shows us how to train and everything.”
There’s an ocean between this close-knit family at the moment, but the boys are still in regular contact and hope that they might feature on the same team at some point in the future.
For now, though, big brother is a handy source of advice.
“We spoke before we came here,” said Eelis. “He told us to play with our own passion, not to stress too much. He said to play our own game.”
Tuomas Uronen in action for Finland at the 2022 U18 World Championship in Germany.
photo: © INTERNATIONAL ICE HOCKEY FEDERATION / CHRIS TANOUYE
The previous pair of U18 twins bring some pedigree. In 2000, Sweden called up the Lundqvists, Henrik and Joel, and won bronze. Goalie Henrik went on to achieve legendary status: Olympic and World Championship gold, and a cult hero with the Rangers. Joel’s NHL time was shorter, but the forward enjoyed a trophy-laden career of his own: three Worlds, plus four Swedish championships and four Champions Hockey League titles with Frolunda.
There are two other cases of twins at U18 championships. Germany’s Lilli and Luisa Welcke played together in the 2018 women’s tournament, as well as competing in Division IA events. And in the stripes, twin officials Nick and Kevin Briganti both worked the 2021 men’s event.
There are two other cases of twins at U18 championships. Germany’s Lilli and Luisa Welcke played together in the 2018 women’s tournament, as well as competing in Division IA events. And in the stripes, twin officials Nick and Kevin Briganti both worked the 2021 men’s event.