Cougars Draft Finnish Forward in CHL Import Draft

June 30, 2020 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Prince George Cougars News Release

PRINCE GEORGE, BC - The Prince George Cougars made one selection Tuesday morning in the 2020 Canadian Hockey League Import Draft. The Cougars selected Finnish forward Jonni Kärkkäinen ('03) 12th overall in the first round.

Prince George only made one selection, passing on their second-round pick, as 19-year-old Czech forward Filip Koffer is set to return for his second season in the fall.

"Jonni is a solid all-around player with great size already," said Cougars' General Manager & Head Coach Mark Lamb. "He has natural leadership abilities as he was a captain for his team in Finland. He has all the intangibles you look for in a young player. He'll fit right in."

Kärkkäinen hails from Kerava, Finland and played last season (2019-20) with HIFK U-18 in the SM-sarja as an underage player. The 17-year-old registered 18 points (9g-9a) in 29 games and served as an alternate captain on his team. The 6'1", 180-pound forward also played three games with Finland's U-17 national team. Two seasons ago (2018-19) Kärkkäinen was the captain of HIFK's U-16 team and amassed 52 points (27g-25a) in 43 games. As a 15-year-old he had two points (1g-1a) in six games with HIFK's U-18 squad. Kärkkäinen also had four points (0g-4a) in 14 games with Finland's U-16 team.

Kärkkäinen is the second Finn taken by the Cougars in the CHL Import Draft. The team drafted Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Joonas Korpisalo fifth overall in 2012. Kärkkäinen is the fifth consecutive forward chosen by the team dating back to 2016.

Western Hockey League Stories from June 30, 2020

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• Broncos Add Forward and Defenceman in CHL Import Draft - Swift Current Broncos
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• Hitmen Select Two Players in 2020 CHL Import Draft - Calgary Hitmen
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• Rebels Select Promising Czech Winger in CHL Import Draft - Red Deer Rebels
• Oil Kings Select Janis Svanenbergs in 2020 CHL Import Draft - Edmonton Oil Kings
• Cougars Draft Finnish Forward in CHL Import Draft - Prince George Cougars
• Broncos Add Forward and Defenceman in CHL Import Draft - Swift Current Broncos
• Blazers Select Defenseman Viktor Persson in CHL Import Draft - Kamloops Blazers
• Chiefs Select Defenseman David Jiricek in CHL Import Draft - Spokane Chiefs
• Raiders Select Shyla in CHL Import Draft - Prince Albert Raiders
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• Giants Select Slovakian Defenceman Marko Stacha with 90th Overall Pick in 2020 CHL Import Draft - Vancouver Giants
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• Giants Select Swedish Forward Fabian Lysell 30th Overall in the 2020 CHL Import Draft - Vancouver Giants
• Warriors Select Rysavy in 2020 CHL Import Draft - Moose Jaw Warriors
• Royals Select Marcus Almquist in CHL Import Draft - Victoria Royals
• Broncos Acquire Draft Pick from Victoria - Swift Current Broncos
• Pats Select Stanislav Svozil 15th Overall in 2020 Import Draft - Regina Pats
• Royals Make Trade with Broncos - Victoria Royals

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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