Kotkaniemi a big fan of newcomer Armia growing up

BROSSARD - After selecting center Jesperi Kotkaniemi and right-winger Jesse Ylönen in the 2018 NHL Draft in Dallas, the Canadiens added another Finn to the fold on Saturday morning.

This time it was 25-year-old right-winger Joel Armia, who was acquired in a trade with the Winnipeg Jets.
Interestingly enough, Armia hails from Kotkaniemi's hometown of Pori and he once starred for the Finnish Elite League club the Canadiens' newest first-rounder currently plays for - Porin Ässät.
After wrapping up his second day of on-ice workouts at the Bell Sports Complex, Kotkaniemi shared his thoughts on the Habs' latest acquisition up front.
"It's a great thing. I know Joel a little bit. It's great to get another Pori guy here. I'm very excited about that. We have many of the same friends," said the 17-year-old forward, who hadn't yet had a chance to connect with Armia once the deal was done. "He's a very skilled player. He's a big guy. I think he has some of the same [qualities] as Patrik Laine. He's a great player."

Kotkaniemi looked up to Armia when he was still plying his trade overseas. He even had a poster of him on his wall.
"I was like 10 years old and he was playing with Ässät in the SM-liiga. He was my biggest idol, so I watched him a lot," shared Kotkaniemi, who recalls watching Armia help Ässät win the Kanada-malja as SM-liiga playoff champions in 2012-13. "My dad was the assistant coach there, so I met him a few times."
While they don't train together during the offseason, Kotkaniemi is hoping to one day forge some serious on-ice chemistry with his fellow countryman.
"I think we will have a connection," said Kotkaniemi with a smile. "I hope so."
And, he's eager to see if the Canadiens' brass will be adding some more Finns to the group down the road.
"I hope [there will be] many," concluded Kotkaniemi. "It will be the Finnish National Team."