Oshawa, Ont. – The Oshawa Generals in partnership with the Minnesota Wild are proud to announce the Wild have signed centreman Rasmus Kumpulainen to a three-year entry-level contract. The contract will begin in the 2024-25 season.
Kumpulainen, 18, is playing his first year in the Ontario Hockey League and has spent the entire 2023/24 season with the Oshawa Generals Hockey Club. Kumpulainen was selected in the first round, 13th overall at the 2023 CHL Import Draft in July. Kumpulainen is just the third Fin to have committed to the Generals. He joins alumni Jimi Kuronen and Oliver Suni.
Kumpulainen has been an offensive force for the Generals this season. Meeting 55 games with 53 overall points, he has acquired 27 goals and 26 assists.
“We are very happy to see Rasmus sign with Minnesota. He has been a big part of the Gennies success this year and it’s great to see him take a step in achieving the ultimate goal of playing in the NHL,” said Generals Head Coach, Derek Laxdal.
The 6-foot-3 forward is from Lahti, Finland, and spent last season with the Pelicans Lahti U20. In 41 games, Kumpulainen scored 11 goals and added 23 assists. Kumpulainen also has international experience, he has represented Finland at the U18 level as an assistant captain, winning the bronze medal. He scored three goals and two assists in five games. Kumpulainen also represented the Finnish flag at the 2024 World Juniors, appearing in seven games and grabbing two goals.
Ahead of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, Kumpulainen was ranked 69th by TSN’s Craig Button. Scouts alike described him as a big, two-way centreman who competes well and is comfortable using his large frame to win battles along the boards and cause chaos around the net. He was then taken 53rd overall by the Minnesota Wild in the second round of the draft in June.
This will be Kumpulainen’s first appearance in the OHL postseason, and the Generals are gearing up in full force as they currently lead the Eastern Conference with just three games left this regular season.
“We look forward to his contributions going forward into the playoffs,” added Laxdal.
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