Welcome to the Columbus Blue Jackets, Mikael Pyyhtia.
The Jackets selected Pyyhtia, a 5-foot-11 Finnish center, with their fourth-round selection, 114th overall, in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft Wednesday.
The PyyhtiaFile
- DOB: December 17, 2001 (18)
- NATIONALITY: Finnish
- POS: Center
- SIZE: 5-11/174
- SHOOTS: Left
Pyyhtia, who plays on the same TPS U20 team as Columbus' third-round pick Samuel Knazko, has tallied 3-3-6 in five games in Finland's top junior league this season. Last season, he posted 11-30-41 in 42 games, good for third on the team in points.
Pyyhtia "sees the ice like a chessboard" and is "like a magician in the offensive zone", according to a scouting report from Future Scope Hockey.
He checks in a bit on the smaller side but can light the lamp and has a chance in the future to make a team that has had trouble finishing in recent years.
Solid pick by the Jackets at 114 with Finnish scorer Mikael Pyyhtia pic.twitter.com/TW5mL7Fiug
— Steve Kournianos (@TheDraftAnalyst) October 7, 2020
The 18-year old center will look to compete for TPS in Liiga play. Last season, he played two games for the big club (0-1-1).
