Jesperi Kotkaniemi is the newest member of the Montreal Canadiens.
Montreal selected Kotkaniemi with its third overall pick in the 2018 NHL Draft. Kotkaniemi tallied 29 points in 57 games with Assat in the Finnish Elite League.
Kotkaniemi talllied eight points as he represented Finland at the U-18 World Championships in April. The 18-year-old helped Finland earn the gold medal at the tournament. He quickly moved up draft boards after the NHL Scouting Combine.
TSN's Craig Button dubbed Kotkaniemi as the "best centre in the draft." When it came time for the Canadiens to be on the clock, they didn't hesitate selecting Kotkaniemi.
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Jesperi Kotkaniemi is a complete, highly skilled centre. Playmaking may be his best strength. An example, showcasing his ability to find teammates across the ice and in dangerous areas. #Habs pic.twitter.com/XzW0sfCUNN
— Mitch Brown (@MitchLBrown) June 23, 2018
The 6-foot-one centre helps fill Montreal's void at the position.
"I'm mostly a playmaker," Kotkaniemi said according to the Canadiens. "I love to find some passing lanes. That's my thing . . . I also have a good shot. I need to use it a little bit more, I think. I'm a big guy. I love to go in the corners and battle hard."