2023 round 3 #91 overall by Pittsburgh Penguins
Pieniniemi recently made the jump to North America after playing last season in Liiga (Finland’s highest league). He has made an easy adjustment to North American ice posting 33 points in 31 games so far with Kingston.
There is a lot to be excited for when looking at his current production in the OHL. Unfortunately Pieniniemi doesn’t have an NHLe stat out so far but having 34points in 32 games at the OHL level is equivalent to having 28 points in the NHL just to give fans a rough idea.
He will turn 20 in March meaning he will either be an overager or turn pro next season. If he does turn pro expect him to play a few years in the AHL before he becomes NHL ready.
I am very excited about this prospect. He seems to be a physical Dman something the pens could use right now. Dubas seems to have found a gem in the 3rd round.
“can log big minutes and contributing on both special teams. He’s a safeguard in the neutral zone, where he pinches aggressively and gaps up early, guiding opponents towards the boards before engaging physically.”
Penguins Blog 