Springfield Forward Wallinheimo Makes NCAA Commitment

The Springfield Jr. Blues of the North American Hockey League (NAHL) are proud to announce that forward Lukas Wallinheimo has committed to play NCAA hockey for the University of Wisconsin-River Falls in the WIAC.

The 6-foot-2 righty from Finland, Wallinheimo, will join the Falcons in River Falls, Wisconsin, in the fall. The ‘05 skater finished out his junior career playing in the League of Opportunity. Wallinheimo was drafted in the first round of the 2025 NAHL Entry Draft by the Jr. Blues. He played one game shy of every regular season contest this year, lacing up for 58 matchups. The 20-year-old found twine 17 times and notched 23 assists for Springfield. Four of his tallies were scored in game-winning fashion while six goals were registered on the power play. Wallinheimo ranked third on his roster with 40 points on the season, serving as one of the top scorers on the team.

Thanks to his work on the ice, the Finland native earned a spot at the 2026 Top Prospects Tournament on the Midwest Division team. He played two games at the USA Hockey Arena amongst the best uncommitted talent that the NAHL has to offer.

Wallinheimo comes from a hockey pedigree, with his dad having a three-year career as a goaltender at the University of Denver in the 90s.

The University of Wisconsin-River Falls program has a history of taking home hardware on the national stage. The Falcons are two-time national champions.

Wallinheimo will join more than 20 NAHL alumni currently on the roster at UW-River Falls.

UW-River Falls, located just 30 minutes from the Minneapolis/St. Paul area, competes in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) and is a 19-time WIAC champion. The three-time NCAA national champions play their home games at the brand-new, $65 million W.H. Hunt Arena, located directly on campus.

Wallinheimo is one of 11 members of the Springfield Jr. Blues to make a college ice hockey commitment.

Click here for an updated NAHL to NCAA commitment list