2020 NHL Draft Player Card: Kasper Puutio

Welcome to the new "Player Card" series at FloridaPanthers.com presented by Truist! In these articles, we'll break down both the basics and the beyond when it comes to some of your favorite Panthers players and prospects through their on-ice statistics, off-ice interests, and an informative Q&A session.
In today's card, we'll take a look at Panthers 2020 fifth-round pick Kasper Puutio.

THE BASICS

Name: Kasper Puutio
Position: Defenseman
Date of Birth: June 3, 2002
Birthplace: Vaasa, Finland
Height:5'11''
Weight: 180 lbs.
Shoots: Right

2019-20 SUMMARY

Puutio made a smooth transition from Europe to North America this past season.
Taken with the first-overall pick in the 2019 CHL Import Draft by Swift Current, the 18-year-old defenseman opened up the 2019-20 season with the Broncos, producing 16 points (one goal, 15 assists) in 35 games before being traded to Everett in a multi-player deal in early January.
After arriving to the Silvertips, he went on quite the offensive tear before the WHL season was put on hold and then eventually cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. Over his final 12 games of the year, he managed to rack up a formidable 11 points (three goals, eight assists).
Between Swift Current and Everett, he tallied 28 points (five goals, 23 assists) in 61 games.
"It took a bit of an adjustment, but I thought I learned a lot about how to play on a smaller rink," Puutio said of taking his game overseas. "I also thought I took a lot of steps forward as a skater and puck-mover. I got a lot of ice time there. I really found the confidence in my game and learned how to be in a bigger role on a team. I really loved it. It was an experience of a lifetime."
Internationally, Puutio hopes to secure a spot on Finland's roster for the upcoming 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship, which is scheduled to take place from Dec. 26 - Jan. 5, 2021. At the 2019 Hlinka Gretzky Tournament, he recorded three assists as Finland finished fourth.
"It would be a childhood dream come true," Puutio said of competing at the World Juniors. "I've been watching the World Juniors even before I knew what they were. If I make the team, I'll be really happy to represent Finland. I'll be really proud to be there for my country and all that."
With the WHL season currently on hold, Puutio has kicked off the 2020-21 season back home with Karpat in Finland's top men's ice hockey league, Liiga. Seeing action in five games so far, he's posted five shots and owns a plus-four rating while averaging 11:48 of ice time per contest.

POST-DRAFT Q&A

FloridaPanthers.com: How did you react when you found out that you'd been drafted?
Puutio:I was actually watching the draft and when I saw my name pop-up I was really confused and surprised. I was full of joy. I didn't know what to think in that moment. It was a dream come true, for sure.
FloridaPanthers.com: What were your expectations heading into the draft?
Puutio: I wasn't sure if I was going to get picked. I wasn't ready for that at all. It just came all of the sudden. Like I said earlier, it was a dream come true.
FloridaPanthers.com: How quickly did your phone light up after the news broke?
Puutio:Yeah, all of my friends started texting me. It was awesome to see so many people be happy for me and all that. It was awesome.
FloridaPanthers.com: Who did you watch the draft with?
Puutio: With my parents.
FloridaPanthers.com: Following the draft, when did your Panthers jersey arrive in the mail and what was it like to put that on for the first time?
Puutio:I think it came a week or two after the draft. To be honest, it was really cool. To feel the jersey and see my name on there, it was awesome.
FloridaPanthers.com: The Panthers have a lot of Finnish players in their system, including 2020 first-round pick Anton Lundell. Do you know any of them personally?
Puutio: I've been able to play against Lundell and with him on the national team, so that's how I know him. He's probably the closest one I know. I also know Aleksi Heponiemi as well. I have a couple connections.
FloridaPanthers.com: What has the month since the draft been like?
Puutio:It took some time to realize I was drafted, to take that all in. But now that I'm getting calls once or twice a week from the team's development coaches and all that, it's awesome that they're taking care of me and seeing me as one of their own. It gives me a lot of boost and confidence on my daily basis when I'm working here with my team.
FloridaPanthers.com: I saw that former Panthers forward Jussi Jokinen is currently a teammate of yours with Karpat. Did you talk about Florida with him at all after the draft?
Puutio: Yeah, for sure. Actually, right after the draft he was laughing. I think he's selling a house there in Florida. The guys were joking that I should buy the house when I one day get there [laughs]. That's fun.
FloridaPanthers.com: Speaking of coming to Florida, obviously things are still up in the air right now with everything going on in the world, but when things start to get back to normal how excited are you to attend your first development camp with the Panthers?
Puutio: For sure. We know the situation with the COVID and all that is crazy. We don't know when things are getting back to normal, but whenever that happens I think it'll be really exciting to get to see Florida and all the other players and prospects there.

QUICK HITTERS

Hockey Idol Growing Up: Patrick Kane
Favorite Food: Grilled salmon
Favorite Movie: Fast & Furious 8
Last TV Show I Binged: Suits
Favorite Video Game:I don't play a lot, but if I do it's Fortnite
Favorite Pump-Up Song: "The Show Goes On" or "Battle Scars" by Lupe Fiasco