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Toronto Maple Leafs Notable 2020 Draft Pick Update

By Carter Loewen

Russia's Rodion Amirov celebrates a goal during the Ice Hockey Karjala Tournament as part of the Euro Hockey Tour (EHT) season match between Sweden and Russia in Helsinki, Finland, on November 7, 2020. (Photo by Vesa Moilanen / Lehtikuva / AFP) / Finland OUT (Photo by VESA MOILANEN/Lehtikuva/AFP via Getty Images)
Russia's Rodion Amirov celebrates a goal during the Ice Hockey Karjala Tournament as part of the Euro Hockey Tour (EHT) season match between Sweden and Russia in Helsinki, Finland, on November 7, 2020. (Photo by Vesa Moilanen / Lehtikuva / AFP) / Finland OUT (Photo by VESA MOILANEN/Lehtikuva/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Toronto Maple Leafs
TORONTO, ON-Toronto-DUBAS.The Maple Leafs announced today the promotion of Kyle Dubas to General Manager. Brendan Shanahan was on hand for the announcement..October 30, 2012. (Rene Johnston/Toronto Star via Getty Images) /

Topi Niemela

Age: 18

H/W:  6’0″/163 lbs

POS:  D

Current Team: Kärpät (Liiga)

Drafted: 64th Overall (Round 3) 2020 NHL Entry Draft

Topi Niemela was selected only 5 picks after Hirvonen and was the second of four Finns taken by Dubas in the draft. Some rankings had him ranked as high as 41st overall.

Niemela who played a limited role with Kärpät of the Liiga last year has seen his role grow for this season. Last season Niemela had an ATOI of 12:50, this season that has been up as high as 20:31 with an average of 14:41.

This season Niemela has played 6 games with both Kärpät’s U20 team as well as their professional men’s team. In his 6 games with the U20 Team, he notched 1 goal and 4 points while playing alongside fellow Leafs prospect defenseman, Kalle Lopenen. In the 6 games in the men’s league, Niemela has put up 2 assists.

Like a number of other Toronto Maple Leafs prospects, it’s likely that Hirvonen and Niemela will come to Canada to represent the Finns at the international stage in the U20 WJC in December where we will be able to get a closer look and see really what they both have to offer to the Leafs.

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