Jesperi Kotkaniemi is a Finnish professional ice hockey player who serves as a centre for the Carolina Hurricanes in the National Hockey League (NHL).
Born on July 6, 2000, in Pori, Finland, he stands at 6 feet 3 inches and weighs around 212 pounds.
He shoots left and is known for his size, skating ability, and two-way play.
Kotkaniemi was selected third overall by the Montreal Canadiens in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, becoming one of the highest-drafted Finnish players in recent history and the first player born in the 2000s to appear in a major North American professional sports league game.
Siblings
Kotkaniemi was raised in Pori by his parents, Mikael and Kati Kotkaniemi.
He has one sibling, an older brother named Kasperi Kotkaniemi, who is approximately sixteen months his senior.
Kasperi plays as a goaltender and has competed in Finnish leagues.
The close age gap between the brothers meant Jesperi often played up with Kasperi’s age group (1999-born players) during their youth.
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Career
Kotkaniemi began skating at age three and developed with his hometown club, Porin Ässät.
His father, a former professional player turned coach, played a pivotal role in his early development.
He progressed through Ässät’s system, making his Liiga debut and showcasing strong offensive production as a teenager.
In 2018, the Montreal Canadiens selected him with the third overall pick, and he made the NHL roster immediately, debuting on opening night.
After several seasons with the Canadiens, including a notable 2018-19 rookie campaign where he scored his first NHL goals, Kotkaniemi signed an offer sheet with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2021, which Montreal did not match.
In Carolina, he has taken on a more consistent role as a centre, contributing offensively while improving his defensive game.
Over his NHL career, he has appeared in more than 500 games, recording dozens of goals and assists.
Accolades
Kotkaniemi’s international and junior achievements include helping Finland secure a silver medal at the 2017 IIHF Under-18 World Championship and contributing at the 2018 U18 event, where he earned recognition as a top-three player on his team by the IIHF.
He also claimed gold at the U18 World Junior Championship.
In domestic play, he earned honors such as Liiga Most Points by an U18 Junior.
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