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Toronto Maple Leafs: European Prospects Off to a Good Start

ByJeremy Ridgewell|
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA - JUNE 22: Mikko Kokkonen reacts after being selected 84th overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs during the 2019 NHL Draft at Rogers Arena on June 22, 2019 in Vancouver, Canada. (Photo by Kevin Light/Getty Images)
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA - JUNE 22: Mikko Kokkonen reacts after being selected 84th overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs during the 2019 NHL Draft at Rogers Arena on June 22, 2019 in Vancouver, Canada. (Photo by Kevin Light/Getty Images)
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Toronto Maple Leafs
EDMONTON, AB – DECEMBER 30: Topi Niemela #7, (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)

Toronto Maple Leafs European Prospects

Topi Niemela

Topi Niemela is a 19 year-old right shooting defenseman from Finland. He was drafted in the third round of the 2020 NHL draft with the 64th overall pick.

This season is his third season with Karpat in Liiga. Last season he registered four assists in 15 games. Niemela performed really well at the IIHF world junior championship last season. He was the second highest scoring Finnish player with two goals and six assists for eight points in seven games.
(Stats from Eliteprospects.com)

So far this season, Niemela already has six points in five games for Karpat. Toronto will be hoping he has a breakout year.

Nikolai Chebykin

Nikolai Chebykin is a big (6’4″ 223 Lbs.) 24 year-old winger playing for Dynamo Moskva in the KHL. Chebykin was drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 7th round of the 2016 NHL draft.

This season he has six goals in six games for Dynamo which is already a career best for him at the KHL level. Hopefully he will be able to bring his big frame over to the Maple Leafs in a season or two.

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