NHL Draft Memories: Artturi Lehkonen

MONTREAL - After being drafted 55th overall in 2013, Artturi Lehkonen set his sights on cracking the Canadiens' roster. But, he was committed to making his NHL dreams a reality at his own pace.

That meant heading back overseas for three more seasons of grooming - one with KalPa Kuopio of the Finnish Elite League and two more after that with Frolunda HC in the Swedish Hockey League.
In his final year on the other side of the pond in 2015-16, the young Finn blossomed - especially in the postseason. He ultimately helped Frolunda claim both the SHL title and the Champions Hockey League crown, too.
In short, his patience really did pay off.
"I tried not to think too far ahead. At the time, it was year by year, set your goals for the year and work and not think too much about what lies ahead," recalled Lehkonen, who was the third Finn selected at the Prudential Center in New Jersey behind Aleksander Barkov and Rasmus Ristolainen, both of whom were early first-round picks. "Of course, in the back of your head, it's always there that you're thinking about one day playing in the NHL."

The Piikkio native realized that goal on October 13, 2016 in Buffalo after earning a spot out of training camp.
"It was pretty satisfying, for sure. When you get to play in the NHL, the first game was pretty intense with all the emotions going and nervousness and everything. But, all that went away after the first five shifts, and then you start to get the hang of it," explained Lehkonen. "It's just the game of hockey. It doesn't change that much."
Case and point was the fact that Lehkonen delivered to the tune of 18 goals and 28 points in 73 regular season games during his rookie season in Montreal, before adding another two goals and four points in six playoff outings.
"It's taken a lot of work, for sure. It's not easy to come into this league," mentioned Lehkonen, who is set to begin his third NHL season come October. "It has gone by fast, for sure. Time flies."
It certainly does, but the 22-year-old forward will always remember his NHL Draft experience five years ago.
"It was the first time for most of my family being in North America. It was a really cool experience to share with them. They were happy for me," shared Lehkonen. "I don't really know how to describe that. It was a great event and a good feeling when you hear your name gets called. You kind of double-check that you're awake."

Lehkonen wasn't dreaming, of course, and it was just a matter of time before he'd eventually become a fan favorite.
One man who knew it all along, though, was assistant general manager Trevor Timmins.
"He's a world-class player," said Timmins, shortly after the NHL Draft wrapped up in the Garden State. "He's a goal-scorer, a character guy with really, really good hockey sense."