Aleksi Heponiemi

Aleksi Heponiemi
Born	(1999-01-09) January 9, 1999 Tampere, Finland
Height	5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
Weight	148 lb (67 kg; 10 st 8 lb)
Position	Centre
Shoots	Left
WHL team	Swift Current Broncos
NHL Draft	40th overall, 2017 Florida Panthers
Playing career	TBD–present

Aleksi Heponiemi (born January 9, 1999) is a Finnish junior ice hockey forward currently playing for the Swift Current Broncos of the Western Hockey League (WHL). Heponiemi was selected in the second round, 40th overall, by the Florida Panthers.

Playing career

After being selected 10th overall by the Swift Current Broncos in the 2016 CHL Import Draft, Heponiemi began his junior career for the Broncos in the 2016–17 WHL season. Early in the season, Heponiemi began to rise in draft rankings and became an offensive leader for the Broncos. He adjusted quickly to the play-style of the WHL and was named WHL Rookie of the Year, producing the most points and assits out of any rookie in the season with 86.

Despite his statistics, Heponiemi's final scout ranking for the 2017 NHL Entry Draft was 26 by the NHL Central Scouting. Scouts mainly praised Heponiemi for his efficent point producing, his creativeness, and his speed. Heponiemi was selected in the second round, 40th overall in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft by the Florida Panthers. Due to his point-producing skill in his rookie season in the WHL, some think Heponiemi is a "steal" because of how late he was selected in the second round by the Panthers.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2016–17	Swift Current Broncos	WHL		72	28	58	86	18		14	0	8	8	8
WHL totals				72	28	58	86	18		14	0	8	8	8

International

Year	Team	Event	Result		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2018	Finland	WJC	6th		5	2	0	2	0
Junior totals					5	2	0	2	0

External links

• Biographical information and career statistics from Eliteprospects.com, or The Internet Hockey Database