Rangers acquire 2027 NHL Draft prospect Santala from Knights
The Luca Santala trade sends one of the OHL’s notable 2027 NHL Draft prospects from the London Knights to the Kitchener Rangers in a deal involving six future draft selections.
Kitchener acquires Santala along with London’s third-round selection in the 2027 CHL Import Draft. In return, the Knights receive Kitchener’s first-round selection in the 2027 CHL Import Draft along with the Rangers’ second-, third-, fourth- and eighth-round selections in the 2030 OHL Priority Selection.
“We are very excited to welcome Luca to the Rangers,” said Rangers General Manager Mike McKenzie. “Luca is a high-end NHL prospect who plays a very well-rounded game. We had flexibility to add an import player, and when Luca became available, we jumped at the opportunity and think it is a great fit. We look forward to seeing Luca develop in Kitchener for the next two seasons.”
Santala, a 17-year-old native of Espoo, Finland, was selected by London in the first round, 40th overall, of the 2026 CHL Import Draft and signed with the Knights in July.
The 6-foot-3, 195-pound right-shot forward impressed during his first OHL preseason, recording two goals and three assists for five points over five games. He made his regular season debut with London in the Knights’ home opener last Friday.
Santala’s move to Kitchener comes on the same day London signed Vegas Golden Knights 2026 first-round pick Juho Piiparinen to an OHL Standard Player Agreement. Piiparinen joins Philadelphia Flyers first-rounder Maksim Sokolovskii and Anaheim Ducks first-rounder Marcus Nordmark as London’s three imports.
Piiparinen’s arrival also gives London four players selected in the first round of the 2026 NHL Draft, joining Sokolovskii, Nordmark and Ottawa Senators prospect Jaxon Cover.
Before arriving in the OHL, Santala spent the 2025-26 season with Kiekko-Espoo in Finland. He recorded 12 points in 25 games at the U20 level while adding 12 goals, 10 assists and 22 points in 17 U18 contests.
Santala has also produced internationally for Finland. He registered four goals and six points in five games at the 2026 IIHF U18 World Championship before adding two goals and four assists in five games at the 2026 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, helping Finland capture bronze.
The Luca Santala trade gives Kitchener a player generating significant attention ahead of the 2027 NHL Draft. Santala was ranked 19th in TSN’s preseason survey of NHL scouts, while also checking in at No. 12 on preseason rankings from both TSN Director of Scouting Craig Button and Daily Faceoff’s Steven Ellis and No. 26 on The Athletic prospect analyst Scott Wheeler’s list.
Hockey also runs in the Santala family. Luca’s father, Tommi Santala, played professionally for parts of 20 seasons, including 63 NHL games.
Santala will join the Rangers immediately and wear No. 23. Kitchener opens a three-game weekend against the Erie Otters on Friday at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium before visiting Erie on Saturday and returning home to face the Kingston Frontenacs on Sunday.
