Jesperi Kotkaniemi

Jesperi Kotkaniemi
Born (2000-07-06) 6 July 2000
Pori, Finland
Height 6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight 185 lb (84 kg; 13 st 3 lb)
Position Centre
Shoots Left
NHL team
Former teams		 Montreal Canadiens
Ässät
NHL Draft 3rd overall, 2018
Montreal Canadiens
Playing career 2017–present

Jesperi Kotkaniemi (born 6 July 2000) is a Finnish professional ice hockey center currently playing for the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted third overall by the Canadiens in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft.

In October 2018, he became the first player born in the 2000s to play in one of the major professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada.[1]

Playing career

Kotkaniemi began his youth career playing with hometown club, Ässät Pori, as a 14-year old at the under-16 level in 2014. Having progressed through the junior ranks and showing offensive potential, Kotkaniemi made his Liiga debut with Ässät to start the 2017–18 season, on September 9, 2017 where he scored his first professional goal.[2] As a 17-year old rookie, Kotkaniemi posted impressive offensive totals, collecting 10 goals and 29 points in 57 games.[3]

On 22 June 2018, having been touted amongst the top players by the NHL Central Scouting service, Kotkaniemi was drafted third overall in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft by the Montreal Canadiens.[4] After attending the club's development camp, he was signed to a three-year, entry-level contract on July 2, 2018.[5]

On 3 October 2018, Kotkaniemi made his NHL debut in a 3–2 overtime loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs, recording one assist. He thus became the first person born after 1 January 2000 to play in the NHL[6] and the first in one of the Big Four professional sports leagues in North America.[1]

International play

Medal record
Representing  Finland
Men's ice hockey
World U18 Championships
2018 Russia
2017 Slovakia

Kotkaniemi made his junior international debut for Finland at the 2017 World U18 Championships in Slovakia, he amassed 6 points in 7 games to help claim a silver medal.

He returned for the following 2018 World U18 Championships in Russia, centering the top-line in recording 9 points in 7 tournament contests, helping Finland secure the gold medal over United States. He was also recognized as a top 3 on team Finland by the IIHF.[7]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2015–16 Ässät Jr. A 23 5 10 15 12 — — — — —
2016–17 Ässät Jr. A 17 9 6 15 18 7 4 1 5 0
2017–18 Ässät Liiga 57 10 19 29 20 7 0 1 1 6
Liiga totals 57 10 19 29 20 7 0 1 1 6

International

Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2017 Finland WJC18 2nd, silver medalist(s) 7 1 5 6 0
2017 Finland IH18 6th 4 2 2 4 6
2018 Finland WJC18 1st, gold medalist(s) 7 3 6 9 37
Junior totals 18 6 13 19 43

References

  1. 1 2 Lehmola, Jussi; Palojärvi, Otto (4 October 2018). "Jesperi Kotkaniemi teki pohjoisamerikkalaista urheiluhistoriaa – pääsi myös pisteille". Uusi Suomi (in Finnish). Retrieved 5 October 2018.
  2. ↑ "SM-liigan 17-vuotias superlupaus onnistui heti maalinteossa". yle.fi (in Finnish). 2017-09-11. Retrieved 2017-09-11.
  3. ↑ "Canadiens sign Jesperi Kotkaniemi to NHL entry-level contract". Montreal Gazette. 2018-07-02. Retrieved 2018-07-02.
  4. ↑ Sadler, Emily (22 June 2018). "Canadiens select centre Jesperi Kotkaniemi with third-overall pick". sportsnet.ca. Retrieved 23 June 2018.
  5. ↑ "Canadiens agree to terms with Jesperi Kotkaniemi". Montreal Canadiens. 2018-07-02. Retrieved 2018-07-02.
  6. ↑ Chidley-Hill, John (4 October 2018). "Habs rookie Jesperi Kotkaniemi makes NHL history". cbc.ca. Retrieved 5 October 2018.
  7. ↑ "Finland wins it all!". International Ice Hockey Federation. 2018-04-30. Retrieved 2018-04-30.
Awards and achievements
Preceded by
Ryan Poehling		 Montreal Canadiens first round draft pick
2018		 Succeeded by
Incumbent
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