7 Facts: Otto Koivula

Otto Koivula made his NHL debut on Saturday night in the
Islanders' 4-3 shootout win over Philadelphia
. Koivula skated 7:14 and recorded two hits in the win.
The Nokia, Finland native was drafted by the Islanders in the fourth round of the 2016 draft (120th overall) and has spent the past season and a quarter with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. The left-handed center has five points (2G, 3A) in 10 games for the Sound Tigers this season and was recalled by the Islanders several times over the past week, most recently on Nov. 12.
Get to know Koivula in the latest edition of 7 Facts.

1. HE WON SM-LIIGA'S ROOKIE OF THE YEAR IN 2016-17:

Koivula won the Finnish League's rookie of the year award in 2016-17, after recording 30 points (10G, 20A) in 50 games for Ilves. Koivula, who had played in the Ilves system since he 2013-14, recorded the most assists and points of all rookies that season.
Instagram from @ottokoivula: 2016-2017 Rookie of the Year

2. HE HAD A BIG ROOKIE YEAR IN BRIDGEPORT:

Koivula burst onto the AHL scene last year with 46 points (21G, 25A) in 69 games for the Bridgeport Sound Tigers last season. Koivula tied for second on the Sound Tigers in points and had sole possession of second in goals. His 21 goals finished fourth among AHL rookies and his 46 points were seventh.

3. HE CAN PLAY CENTER OR WING:

Koivula came to Bridgeport as a left winger, but learned how to become a reliable center for the Sound Tigers. That's no easy feat and makes the offensive production from his rookie year even more impressive. He debuted as a center in the NHL.

4. HE'S REPRESENTED FINLAND AT TWO WORLD JUNIORS:

Koivula played for Finland at both the 2017 and 2018 World Junior Hockey Championships. The Isles prospect recorded two assists in 11 total games at the World Juniors. Finland was knocked out in the quarterfinals in 2018 and did not qualify for the playoff round in 2017.

5. HE WON A FINNISH JR. TITLE:

Koivula won the Jr. A SM-Liiga championship in 2015-16 Ilves' U20 club, his last year before making the jump to Finland's top league. Koivula was also named playoff MVP with 12 points (5G, 7A) in seven playoff games.

6. HE'S A BIG BODY:

At 6'4, 225 lbs., Koivula already is a big body and at 21, still has some time to grow into it.

7. HIS SOCIAL MEDIA HANDLES:

Follow Koivula on Twitter at

and on Instagram at
@ottokoivula
.