Net gain for the Wolves
Sudbury Wolves of the Ontario Hockey League have signed world-class, Finnish-born goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen.
Luukkonen was selected by the Wolves in the first round, third overall, at the 2018 Canadian Hockey League import draft. He was also a high pick at the 2017 National Hockey League draft, going to the Buffalo Sabres in the second round.
Wolves general manager Rob Papineau commented on the signing of the 6-foot-4, 210-pound Luukkonen, who played for Finland at the 2018 World Junior Hockey Championships.
“He is a physical presence in the goal crease, a great athlete and a young man who is eager to step into our organization and help our hockey team succeed,” Papineau said of his newly-signed goalie, who has a 1999 birth date.
Luukkonen shared an excitement of heading to Sudbury.
“I am looking forward to helping the Sudbury Wolves any way I can to succeed and grow as an organization,” said the big goalie.
And Steve Greeley, who is the assistant general manager of the NHL team that has Luukkonen under contract, the aforementioned Buffalo Sabres, likes the idea of the plum prospect developing in the OHL.
“We are pleased that (Luukkonen) will be joining the Sudbury Wolves,” said Greeley. “We are excited to work alongside the Wolves in his development.”
PHOTO: Goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen signs on with the Sudbury Wolves.