Jun 23, 2017
Flames draft D Valimaki with 16th pick
The Calgary Flames added defence to their stable at the 2017 NHL Draft with the selection of Juuso Valimaki 16th overall from the Tri-City Americans of the Western Hockey League. Valimaki played in 60 games for the Americans in 2016-17 and scored 19 goals while adding 42 assists from the blue line.
TSN.ca Staff
The Calgary Flames added defence to their stable at the 2017 NHL Draft with the selection of Juuso Valimaki 16th overall from the Tri-City Americans of the Western Hockey League.
Valimaki played in 60 games for the Americans in 2016-17 and scored 19 goals while adding 42 assists from the blue line.
“They have very good defencemen (in Calgary) and I think I’ll fit in very well,” Valimaki said after he was selected in the draft. “I’m doing everything I can to make the team right away, but I think I can play there in two years for sure.”
TSN Director of Scouting Craig Button is impressed with the effort of the 18-year-old.
"A smart, workhorse defenceman who can contribute in multiple areas," Button said in his pre-draft analysis.