Islanders Select Jesse Pulkkinen With The 54th Pick

LAS VEGAS -- With the No. 54 overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, the New York Islanders selected left-shot defenseman Jesse Pulkkinen out of Finland.

Pulkkinen scored 11 goals with 17 assists for 28 points in 18 games with JYP’s U20 team and two goals with six assists for eight points in 29 games with JYP’s professional team (Liiga).

In seven playoff games with JYP U20, Pulkkinen scored 10 points (four goals, six assists).

At 19, Pulkkinen is an overage defenseman for the draft.

However, the Finland native worked his way into scouts’ hearts this season after dedicating his time to development.

His English is a work in progress, but he tried his best with us at the podium.

"Training hard," Pulkinnen said on his breakout season.

Pulkinnen is known for his stature, strong skating, and offensive creativity.

Standing at 6’ 6” and 220 pounds, Pulkkinen uses his size to push opposing skaters off the puck and create space for his team.

Though Pulkkinen is exceptionally tall, he is a mobile skater with the puck on his stick. Pulkkinen can dangle and weave through other players before unleashing a powerful shot or threading a pass through on the rush.

He shared that he models his game after Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman.

Pulkkinen was ranked across the board, with scouts putting him anywhere from the end of the first round to the middle of the third round. This divergence is typical of an overager, especially one with size like Pulkkinen.

Pulkkinen is more of a raw talent who will need time to develop.

However, the defenseman has a strong offensive upside and, if nothing else, an enormous frame built for physicality.

Pulkkinen will slot in well with current Islanders prospects Calle Odelius (2022 2nd-round pick) and Isaiah George (2022 4th-round pick), both of whom are excellent skaters and puck-movers.

He said that he doesn't know if he will remain in Finland for 2024-25 or come to North America.

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