Jesperi Kotkaniemi set to make Canadiens' roster


Devdiscourse News Desk | Updated: 30-09-2018 08:39 IST | Created: 30-09-2018 08:37 IST

Jesperi Kotkaniemi, the No. 3 overall pick in this summer's NHL entry draft, has made the cut for the Montreal Canadiens after an impressive preseason.

The news caps the end of a wild summer -- and the beginning of a professional career -- for the 18-year-old from Finland. He will become the first player in any of the four major professional sports who was born in the 2000s, according to the Montreal Gazette.

Kotkaniemi's birthday is July 6, 2000.

"We decided that he'll start the season here in Montreal," Canadiens coach Claude Julien said to reporters. "It's good news for him, and it's good news for us."

Kotkaniemi (6-foot-2, 184 pounds) is a playmaking center who notched 29 points (10 goals, 19 assists) in 57 games for his club team in Finland last season. He also has represented Finland in the world championships and other tournaments.

"This has been my dream since I was a little kid," Kotkaniemi said to the Gazette. "I think they made this decision because I played good."

(With inputs from agencies.)

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