Frontenacs Complete 2021 CHL Import Draft

Published on June 30, 2021 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Kingston Frontenacs News Release

On Wednesday, June 30, 2021, the Canadian Hockey League Import Draft took place. Each of the 60 teams in the CHL could make two picks. They could also pass on one or both picks.

With the 48th pick of the opening round the Kingston Frontenacs selected Leevi Meriläinen, from Oulu, Finland.

Leevi is a 6' 2", 170 lbs. left-handed catching goaltender. He spent the 2020-21 season with the Kärpät U20 program in the junior U20 SM-sarja league. He was the league leader in wins with a 21-0-3 record. His save percentage of .928 and goals against average of 1.71 were both team bests. He also recorded 6 shutouts.

Meriläinen was selected in the third round, 71st overall by the Ottawa Senators in the 2020 NHL Draft. He signed his entry level contract with the Senators on June 14, 2021.

Following the draft, Head Coach and General Manager Paul McFarland spoke about the Frontenacs selection: "We are excited to have selected Leevi, a goaltender with a lot of potential who is coming off a successful season last year. We will work closely with the Ottawa Senators and Kärpät to see how we can be part of his development moving forward."

The Frontenacs elected to pass on their second-round pick.

Kingston Frontenacs training camp will take place later this summer. Follow www.kingstonfrontenacs.com for more details as they become available.

Ontario Hockey League Stories from June 30, 2021

• OHL Clubs Select 27 Players in 2021 CHL Import Draft - OHL
• Frontenacs Complete 2021 CHL Import Draft - Kingston Frontenacs
• 85 Players Selected in 2021 CHL Import Draft - OHL
• Wolves Select Two Players in the CHL Import Draft - Sudbury Wolves
• Greg Walters Named Attack Head Coach - Owen Sound Attack
• Storm Selects a Forward and Defenseman in the 2021 CHL Import Draft - Guelph Storm
• Sting Add Two Prospects Through 2021 CHL Import Draft - Sarnia Sting
• Firebirds Select Czech Forward Simon Slavichek #42 Overall in the CHL Import Draft - Flint Firebirds
• Battalion Looks to Lukin - North Bay Battalion
• Julian Lutz Selected by Hounds in CHL Import Draft - Soo Greyhounds
• Otters Select Two in CHL Import Draft - Erie Otters
• Attack at the Draft - CHL Import Draft Recap - Owen Sound Attack
• Petes Select Adrian Klein at the 2021 CHL Import Draft - Peterborough Petes
• Storm Select Leo Hafenrichter 69th Overall in CHL Import Draft - Guelph Storm
• 67's Draft Forward Vinzenz Rohrer at 2021 CHL Import Draft - Ottawa 67's
• Spirit Select Matyas Sapovaliv in 2021 CHL Import Draft - Saginaw Spirit
• Storm Select Valentin Zhugin 54th Overall in CHL Import Draft - Guelph Storm
• Hounds Select Kirill Kudryavtsev in CHL Import Draft - Soo Greyhounds
• 2021 CHL Import Draft Preview - Sarnia Sting

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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