Montreal Canadiens pick forward Jesperi Kotkaniemi third overall at NHL draft
DALLAS — Jesperi Kotkaniemi knew the Montreal Canadiens were hungry for help down the middle.
He hopes hit can he can fill that void after the club used the third pick in the first round of the NHL draft Friday to select the 17-year-old centre.
“I was a little surprised, but I hear that they are looking for a centre. I hoped they would choose me,” Kotkaniemi said. “I’m so excited at the moment.”
The native of Pori, Finland, produced 10 goals and 29 points in 57 regular-season games with Assat of the Finnish Elite League in 2017-18. He added nine points in six games to lead his country to gold at the 2018 IIHF under-18 world championship.