With what many considered a lucky bounce in the Western Hockey League’s CHL Import Draft Lottery, the Everett Silvertips landed the first ping pong ball and the rights to the first WHL pick.
That pick came in at second overall and the Silvertips selected 2003-born Finnish forward Niko Huuhtanen. The 6-foot-1, 203-pound Helsinki, FIN native is eligible for the 2021 NHL Draft and is ranked 49th among International skaters.
Huuhtanen played 2020-21 for Tappara U20 in the U20sm-sarja in Finland. In 37 regular-season games, he scored 20 goals and added 14 assists. He also added a goal while playing two playoff games.
Finland’s U18 World Championship team finished in fourth place, ending the tournament on a sour note with an 8-0 loss to Sweden. Despite losing their last two games, the team did play well throughout the tournament. Huuhtanen was tied for 26th in scoring in the tournament after he registered two goals and three assists through seven games.
Everett has had four players join them from Finland including Eetu Tuulola, Rasmus Rissanen, and Kasper Puutio. The team also got one game from Waltteri Hopponen in 2013-14.
“To get a player like Niko is an extremely valuable opportunity because of his natural ability to score goals,” said Silvertips head coach and interim general manager Dennis Williams in a press release. “It’s difficult to do what he does on a consistent basis. He’s had great success at every level as a big, strong, and physical goal scorer who embraces a North American style of game, along with a terrific level of hockey intelligence he uses to protect pucks and find open teammates. He’s got a long-term goal with becoming an NHL player and his recognition of the habits he’s aiming to refine is a credit to his character. He plays the way we want to play in Everett, with size and strength, and his qualities are a great fit for our offense and power play. We’re excited to have him, and he’s excited to become a Silvertip.”
The Silvertips still have Czech Republic native Michal Gut on their protected list for the 2021-22 season, therefore negating their opportunity to make a second selection at the CHL Import Draft.
