The Helsinki Wolverines have announced the return of 6’5″, 260 pound Finnish defensive end Ville Valasti for the 2022 Maple League season.
Valasti spent the 2021 season with the European League of Football champions, the Frankfurt Galaxy, helping them capture the first ever ELF title as part of a defense that held opponents to a league-best 14 points a game. The veteran Finn was a key member of the Wolverines defense during the 2020 pandemic-shortened season anchoring a defense on a team that reached the Finnish title game, the Maple Bowl, game recording 33 tackles and seven sacks during the seven-game season. He was unanimously named to the AFI All-Pandemic Team for his performance during the 2020 season.
Valasti had signed with the German Football League’s Frankfurt Universe in 2020 before the pandemic canceled the season in Germany.
As a young player, Valasti was a member of the Finnish national team, and played for both the Helsinki Roosters and Helsinki Wolverines.
He went on to play college football in the United States, beginning with Diablo Valley Community College where he earned all-state honors before accepting a scholarship to Eastern Michigan (NCAA D1), where he spent the final two years of his collegiate career. As a member of the Div. I (NCAA FCS) Eagles, he played in 17 games making 13 tackles.
Check out Valasti’s 2021 highlights
