Spits Select Vaakanainen at #39 in CHL Import Draft

June 28, 2016 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Windsor Spitfires News Release

Defenceman Urho Vaakanainen
(Windsor Spitfires)

(Windsor, ON) - With the #39 pick in the 2016 Canadian Hockey League Import Draft (originally #41), General Manager Warren Rychel has selected Urho Vaakanainen.

Vaakanainen is a 6'1, 187-pound left-shooting defenceman from Joensuu, Finland.

In 43 games last season with the Espoo Blues, he had three goals and 16 assists to go along with a +2 rating and 16 penalty minutes.

Vaakanainen was part of Finland's entry at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge (5GP, 0 Pts, 6 PIM) and the IIHF Under-18 World Championships (7GP, 3pts, +6) last season.

"Urho is one of the best 1999-born defencemen in the world," Rychel said. "A very good, solid, two-way player with good offensive instincts."

Vaakanainen joins defenceman Mikhail Sergachev and recently-acquired forward Julius Nattinen in the mix for the club's two import roster spots.

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Defenceman Urho Vaakanainen

Ontario Hockey League Stories from June 28, 2016

2016 Canadian Hockey League Import Draft Results - OHL
67's Bolster Defence Selecting Andrei Golikov in CHL Import Draft - Ottawa 67's
Storm Select Albert Michnac with 62nd Overall Pick in CHL Import Draft - Guelph Storm
Firebirds Select Two in CHL Import Draft - Flint Firebirds
Petes Select Igor Martynov in Second Round of CHL Import Draft - Peterborough Petes
Rangers Make Two Selections in CHL Import Draft - Kitchener Rangers
Otters Select German Poddubnnyi with Import Pick - Erie Otters
Spits Select Vaakanainen at #39 in CHL Import Draft - Windsor Spitfires
Storm Select Dmitri Samorukov with the 2nd Overall Pick in the 2016 Import Draft - Guelph Storm
Attack Select Sushko - Owen Sound Attack
Petes Select Matyas Svoboda in First Round of CHL Import Draft - Peterborough Petes
Bulldogs Select Studenic 11th Overall - Brantford Bulldogs

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