The New Jersey Devils could receive a boost from Finland next season, as general manager Tom Fitzgerald shares that centerman Lenni Hameenaho is expected to move to North America, per Devils’ team reporter Amanda Stein. Fitzgerald told reporters that the team will announce Hameenaho’s move soon. Many believe that announcement will be coupled with news that Hameenaho has signed his entry-level contract, shares James Nichols of New Jersey Hockey Now.
New Jersey drafted Hameenaho midway through the 2023 second-round, on the heels of his rookie season in Finland’s Liiga. He scored 21 points in 51 games as a Liiga rookie, and added four points in eight postseason games. It was a modest showing, in line with many other first or second round draft picks in their rookie seasons. But Hameenaho showed he simply needed to find his footing at a pro flight, and he broke out with 31 points in 46 games as a league sophomore. That scoring was coupled with six points in seven World Junior Championship games – where Hameenaho proved his distinct ability to drive downhill and create space in all three zones. He continued to build on those strong traits with a top-line role in the Liiga this season, and finished the year with a dazzling 20 goals and 51 points in 58 games – good for second on Assat in scoring.
Hameenaho seemed like a strong prospect just months after his draft selection. Two years later, his 2024-25 scoring is the second-most the Liiga has seen from a 20-year-old since 2000, behind top Pittsburgh Penguins prospect Ville Koivunen. Hameenaho is sturdy centerman who’s strong on the puck and diligently responsible in all three zones. He’ll be a strong addition to New Jersey’s minor league ranks, and could even find his way into the NHL lineup throughout next season.
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