
Cougars Sign CHL Import Draft Selection
July 30, 2020 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Prince George Cougars News Release
PRINCE GEORGE, BC - The Prince George Cougars are pleased to announce the signing of Finnish forward Jonni Kärkkäinen ('03) to a WHL Standard Player Agreement.
Kärkkäinen was the Cougars' lone selection, 12th overall, in the 2020 Canadian Hockey League Import Draft.
"We're happy to have Jonni committed to our team for next season. We look forward to integrating him into our group," stated Cougars' General Manager & Head Coach Mark Lamb.
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 which dates back to 2016.
Western Hockey League Stories from July 30, 2020
- Cougars Sign CHL Import Draft Selection - Prince George Cougars
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