Winnipeg Ice select Winnipeg Jets draft pick Henri Nikkanen in 2020 CHL Import Draft

The CHL Import Draft is underway this morning and the Winnipeg Ice selected Henri Nikkanen, a name familiar to Winnipeg Jets fans. The Jets selected Nikkanen at the 2019 NHL Draft in Vancouver (4th round, 113th overall).

Here’s the tweet:

With the 42nd overall selection in the 2020 CHL Import Draft, the Winnipeg ICE select forward, Henri Nikkanen from Mikkeli, FIN.

Nikkanen was regarded as a potential 1st round pick at the 2019 Draft but injuries saw him drop quite a ways to the Jets which seemed to have lit a fire under the kid.

When he spoke at last summer’s Jets development camp here is what he said about the fall to the Jets in the fourth round:

“I think it made me little bit stronger mentally because of the comeback I am going to have here. I’m really happy the Jets picked me and I think I am going to have a great future here.”

Nikkanen was under contract this past season in Finland but might Jets fans be able to watch him develop here in Winnipeg?

Here is what Jokke Nevalainen, head of European Scouting at Dobber Prospects said after Nikkanen was selected by the Ice:

“He’s an interesting case because he hasn’t been good enough for the #Liiga level but he’s been too good for the junior level. So maybe?”

Another interesting development to monitor.