London signs Vegas first round pick Juho Piiparinen

The London Knights have signed Finnish defenceman Juho Piiparinen to an OHL Scholarship and Development Agreement.

Piiparinen, 18, was selected by the Knights in the second round, 101st overall, of the 2026 CHL Import Draft. He was drafted by the Vegas Golden Knights in the first round, 29th overall, at the 2026 NHL Draft.

The 6’03, right-shot defenceman spent the majority of the 2025-26 season with Tappara in Finland’s Liiga, recording three assists and a plus-six rating in 29 games. He also recorded 13 points (1-12–13) in 15 games with Tappara U20.

Piiparinen has represented Finland internationally, including at the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship, where he recorded one assist and a plus-six rating in four games. He also posted three points (0-3–3) in five games at the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup.

A native of Lahti, Finland, Piiparinen is described as a puck-moving defenceman who excels at breaking the puck out under pressure and moving the puck with pace.

Piiparinen joins the Knights for the 2026-27 season, adding another NHL first-round selection to London’s organization.