The Winnipeg Jets have selected Finnish forward Patrik Laine with the second overall pick of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft.
The right winger was previously ranked as the third-best prospect behind fellow Fin Jesse Puljujarvi but a strong season bumped him up to the number two spot.
RELATED: Winnipeg Jets know their man ahead of NHL Draft
Laine made his professional hockey debut with the SM-liiga’s Tappara Tampere during the 2014-2015 season at the age of 16. He helped Finland win a IIHF World U18 Championship silver medal later that year by scoring eight goals in seven games.
Laine 17 goals and 16 assists in 46 games with Tampere this past season. He was named Liiga’s playoff MVP after finishing the postseason with 15 points in 18 games.
Laine scored seven goals and six assists in Finland’s 2016 IIHF World Junior Championship victory. He also had seven goals and five assists in his country’s silver medal showing at the 2016 IIHF World Championship.
RELATED: A big coup as the Winnipeg Jets will draft number two
Winnipeg moved up four spots in the NHL Lottery Draft to earn the second overall choice. The selection is the franchise’s highest pick since the Atlanta Thrashers chose Kari Lehtonen at number two in 2002. It’s the best draft slot for a Winnipeg based team since Dale Hawerchuck went first overall in 1981.
The Jets later traded up to get defenceman Logan Stanley 18th overall. They sent their 22nd and 36th draft picks to the Philadelphia Flyers to do so. Winnipeg also gets a 79th overall selection in return.
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