Mikko Kokkonen Explained

Mikko Kokkonen
Birth Date:2001 1, df=yes
Birth Place:Mikkeli, Finland
Height Ft:5
Height In:11
Weight Lbs:194
Position:Defence
Shoots:Left
League:NHL
Team:Toronto Maple Leafs
Prospect Team:Toronto Marlies
Prospect League:AHL
Former Teams:Jukurit
Lahti Pelicans
Draft:84th overall
Draft Year:2019
Draft Team:Toronto Maple Leafs
Career Start:2016

Mikko Kokkonen (born 18 January 2001) is a Finnish professional ice hockey defenceman who is currently playing with the Toronto Marlies in the American Hockey League (AHL) as a prospect under contract to the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League (NHL).[1] He was selected 84th overall by the Maple Leafs in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft.

Playing career

Kokkonen played as a youth within hometown club, Mikkelin Jukurit, before becoming the youngest player in history to play in the Liiga during the 2016–17 season.[2] Following his selection by the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League (NHL) in the third-round, 84th overall, in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, Kokkonen continued his development with Jukurit, appearing in 39 regular season games and collected 3 goals and 10 points in the 2019–20 season.

In his fifth year in the Liiga during the 2020–21 season, Kokkonen was selected as an alternate captain for Jukurit.[2] He made 50 appearances with Jukurit, adding 1 goal and 10 points. In order to extend his 2020–21 season, Kokkonen agreed to join the Toronto Maple Leafs American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Toronto Marlies, for the remainder of the campaign on 16 April 2021. He played in 11 games with the Marlies, scoring one goal and seven points.

On 15 April 2021, Kokkonen opted to leave his hometown club, furthering his development by agreeing to a two-year contract with fellow Liiga club, the Lahti Pelicans.[3] He played in 58 games for Lahti, registering one goal and 15 points.[4]

On 31 March 2022, the Toronto Maple Leafs announced they had signed Kokkonen to a three-year, entry-level contract, beginning in the season.[5] For the 2022–23 season Kokkonen was assigned first to the Marlies, and then to Toronto's ECHL affiliate, the Newfoundland Growlers.[6] Kokkonen attended the Maple Leafs 2023 training camp and was one of the last players the Maple Leafs assigned to the Marlies to start the 2023–24 season.[7]

International play

Kokkonen represented Finland at two World Junior Championships; the first in 2020 and the second in 2021, winning the bronze medal in the latter. Over 14 games, Kokkonen scored two goals and three points.[8]

Personal life

He is from the city of Mikkeli.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Team League GP GPG A Pts PIM
2016–17JukuritJr. A386202620
2016–17JukuritLiiga10000
2016–17Iisalmen Peli-KarhutMestis30110
2017–18JukuritJr. A140774
2017–18JukuritLiiga120004
2017–18KetteräMestis29099630110
2018–19JukuritLiiga563161920
2018–19JukuritJr. A303312
2019–20JukuritLiiga39371010
2019–20JukuritJr. A10213421120
2020–21JukuritLiiga50191020
2020–21JukuritJr. A20220
2020–21Toronto MarliesAHL111670
2021–22Lahti PelicansLiiga58114152030000
2022–23Toronto MarliesAHL3606626
2022–23Newfoundland GrowlersECHL812361336910
2023–24Toronto MarliesAHL65514192830110
Liiga totals216846547430000

International

YearTeamEventResultGPGAPtsPIM
2016FinlandU177th50002
2017FinlandIH186th41014
2018FinlandU1870330
2018FinlandHG187th42136
2020FinlandWJC4th72024
2021FinlandWJC70110
Junior totals 34551016

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Mikko Kokkonen player profile . Elite Prospects . 2019-01-14 . 2019-01-14.
  2. Web site: Mikko Kokkonen oli syksyllä 2016 liigan kaikkien aikojen nuorin pelaaja – Nyt 19-vuotiaana jo Jukureiden kokenutta kaartia . Vironen . Petri . Finnish . In the fall of 2016, Mikko Kokkonen was the league's youngest ever player - Now at the age of 19, Jukurei's experienced guard . . 2 October 2020 . 27 October 2023.
  3. Web site: Pelicans vahvistuu neljällä huippulahjakkuudella – samalla julki viisi tärkeää jatkosopimusta . Pelicans announce new additions and contracts . . 15 April 2021 . 15 April 2021 . Finnish.
  4. Web site: Maple Leafs sign defenceman Mikko Kokkonen to entry-level deal . Sportsnet . 30 March 2022 . 27 October 2023.
  5. Web site: Maple Leafs sign Mikko Kokkonen to future entry-level contract . . 31 March 2022 . 31 March 2022.
  6. Web site: Matt Hellickson, Mikko Kokkonen Assigned To Growlers . Newfoundland Growlers . 5 April 2023 . 27 October 2023.
  7. Web site: Marlies season preview: GM Ryan Hardy on what to expect from 7 key players . The Athletic . Kloke . Joshua . 13 October 2023 . 27 October 2023.
  8. Web site: Axel Rindell, Mikko Kokkonen Assigned to Growlers . Newfoundland Growlers . 2 November 2022 . 27 October 2023.