The Montreal Canadiens drafted Saku Koivu’s son Aatos, a right-handed sniper, at 70th overall.
To get to know the young man better, here is a file that our journalist Nicolas Cloutier published in November.
The son of Saku had flown under the radar in recent years, but with a growth spurt and a maturity in his game, he exploded with the TPS under-20 team, amassing 31 points, including 16 goals, in 28 games.
Unlike his father, he is above all a scorer, he who likes to shoot one-timers on the power play in Alexander Ovechkin’s office.
Koivu was ranked 27th on NHL Central Scouting’s European list.
You should also know, most nostalgic supporters, that Aatos uses his father’s favorite feint in barrage shots.
CH draws from the BCHL
In its next round, in 78th place, the Tricolore drew from the British Columbia League (BCHL).
He set his sights on center Logan Sawyer, who grew up in Orangeville, Ontario. Sawyer was 114th on NHL Central Scouting’s North American list.
A 6’1″ and 173 lb left-hander, he amassed 19 points, including nine goals, in 20 games with the Brooks Bandits this season. Sawyer was voted BCHL playoff MVP after scoring 15 points, including seven goals, in 12 games.
The young man, who speaks French, will play in Providence in the NCAA from 2025-2026.
A very robust defender
In 102nd place, the CH turned to a defender who is described as very robust, even violent, namely the left-handed Owen Protz.
Protz was a teammate of Florian Xhekaj’s in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) with the Brantford Bulldogs. He had 12 points, including two goals, in 30 games; in short, he is not an offensive defenseman.
He is said to be one of the most physical backs in the squad. The recruiting service EliteProspects even writes that he has a monopoly on violence when he arrives on the ice.
More muscle
The CH did it again by asking for another piece of man in the fifth round, more precisely in the 130th place, where they turned to Tyler Thorpe, a monstrous forward of 6 ft 5 in and 216 lbs.
Choice of CH in rounds 2 to 7
70e | Aatos Koivu, attaquant, TPS (Finland)
78th | Logan Sawyer, forward, BCHL (British Columbia)
102nd | Owen Protz, defenseman, OHL (Ontario)
130th | Tyler Thorpe, Forward, WHL (Western Canada)
134th | To be continued…
166th | To be continued…
210th | To be continued…
224th | To be continued…
