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Finns make history at NHL Draft

Finnish ice hockey history was made yesterday at the NHL draft when three Finns were among the top five recruits for the first time ever.

Patrik Laine Tanskaa vastaan
Image: Tomi Hänninen

The Winnipeg Jets selected Patrik Laine as the second pick overall after the Toronto Maple Leafs had chosen Auston Mathews.

Jesse Puljujärvi was picked by the Edmonton Oilers in fourth spot, while the Finnish trio was completed when Olli Juolevi was picked fifth by the Vancouver Canucks.

The most surprising Finnish name in the first round of the draft was Henrik Borgström, who was picked in 23rd spot by the Florida Panthers.

This is only the third time a Finn has been picked as high as second in the NHL Draft.

In 2002 Kari Lehtonen was picked second by the Atlanta Thrashers, while in 2013 Aleksandr Barkov was the second choice overall – he moved from Tampere's Tappara to the Florida Panthers.

Sources: Yle