Canadiens announce the loaning of Jesperi Kotkaniemi to HC Ässät Pori Oy

MONTREAL - Montreal Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin announced today that the team has agreed on the loan of forward Jesperi Kotkaniemi to HC Ässät Pori Oy in the Finnish Liiga for the start of the 2020-21 season. Kotkaniemi is expected to report to the Canadiens training camp for the NHL's 2020-21 season.

Kotkaniemi, 20, tallied eight points (6-2-8) in 36 games in 2019-20, his second with Montreal in the NHL. The Pori, FIN native also skated in 13 games with the Laval Rocket in the AHL, producing 13 points (1 goal, 12 assists). Kotkaniemi also added four goals in 10 playoff contests with the Canadiens this summer in the Hub city of Toronto, while leading all team forwards with 36 hits.
In career in the NHL, Kotkaniemi scored 17 goals and registered 25 assists in 115 games with Montreal. The 6'2'' and 198 lbs centerman dressed for 57 games with Ässät in 2017-18 where he amassed 29 points (10 goals, 19 helpers) in addition of serving 20 penalty minutes.
Kotkaniemi was selected in the first round (3rd overall) by the Canadiens at the 2018 NHL Entry Draft.