Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR 550) - With the 41st overall selection in the 2022 NHL Draft, the Buffalo Sabres select goalie Topias Leinonen from JYP's U-20 team in the Finnish junior league.
Leinonen played the majority of his 2021-22 season with JYP in the team's U20 system, where he thrived as their starting goaltender. He played 21 games with a record of 9-10-0, while registering a 2.28 goals-against average, a .916 save percentage and also earning two shutouts.
The 18-year-old also played four games with JYP's top team in the Finnish Liiga, where he didn't have the same success with a 5.02 goals-against average, an .825 save percentage and a record of 0-1-2.
Despite some less than ideal numbers in the Liiga, the 6-foot-5 goalie has all of the tools needed to succeed at a high level. He was ranked as the top European goaltender in this year's draft by NHL Central Scouting.
Leinonen is expected to return to JYP in the upcoming season, where he is expected to compete for a spot with the top division team in Liiga.
