Finnish Defenceman Urho Vaakanainen. (Photo courtesy Windsor Spitfires)Finnish Defenceman Urho Vaakanainen. (Photo courtesy Windsor Spitfires)
Windsor
Sports

Import Pick A Standout For His Age

By Mike Vlasveld
June 28, 2016 - 5:46pm

Finnish Defenceman Urho Vaakanainen will compete for one of the Windsor Spitfires' two import roster spots this season.

The team drafted the 17-year-old with the 39th pick (originally 41st) in the CHL Import Draft, Tuesday.

Vaakanainen stands 6' 1'', 187 lbs., and tallied three goals and 16 assists in 43 games with the Espoo Blues of the Finnish Elite League last season.

"Urho is one of the best 1999-born defenceman in the world," says General Manager Warren Rychel. "[He's] a very good, solid, two-way player with good offensive instincts."

Recently acquired forward Julius Nattinen and Mikhail Sergachev are the other two vying for import spots this season.

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