Kotkaniemi to start season with Canadiens

Montreal Canadiens top prospect Jesperi Kotkaniemi will start the season with the big club, head coach Claude Julien confirmed on Saturday.

The Canadiens selected Kotkaniemi with their third overall pick in June, and he's had a major impact on the team during the preseason.

After Wednesday's contest against the Toronto Maple Leafs, Julien said "it would be hard to not see" Kotkaniemi on the Canadiens' roster when they begin the regular season on Oct. 3.

The 18-year-old has recorded one goal and two assists in five exhibition games, and he's looked comfortable at the NHL level. He'll own a unique distinction after appearing in his first regular-season game:

Assuming Jesperi Kotkaniemi is in the Habs lineup next Wednesday, he will become the first athlete born in the 2000s to play in one of the Big 4 North American professional sports leagues. #NHL

- Simon Boisvert (@simonsnake70) September 28, 2018

While Kotkaniemi making the team out of camp is a big step, there's still a chance Montreal sends him back to his native Finland soon. He can play up to nine games without affecting his entry-level contract status.

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