Wolves’ Luukkonen named Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that Buffalo Sabres prospect Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen of the Sudbury Wolves is the Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week for the regular season week ending December 2 posting a 2-0-0-0 record including a shutout victory for a goals-against-average of 1.00 and save percentage of .960.

Luukkonen turned aside 48 of the 50 shots he faced last week helping the Wolves extend their winning-streak to four games to keep pace atop a crowded OHL Central Division.  He made 20 saves on Friday night as part of a 3-2 win against the Peterborough Petes, then recorded his second shutout of the season on Sunday afternoon against the Mississauga Steelheads with a 28-save performance that earned him first star honours in the 7-0 victory.  The Wolves now carry a 17-8-1-1 record and are tied for first in the division with the Niagara IceDogs.

A 19-year-old from Espoo, Finland, Luukkonen was chosen third overall by the Wolves in the 2018 CHL Import Draft becoming the first goaltender selected in the process since 2013.  So far this season he carries a 15-5-1-1 record with a goals-against-average of 2.50 and save percentage of .922 which are both among the league’s leaders.  Luukkonen was a second round pick by the Sabres in the 2017 NHL Draft and was recently invited to Finland’s Selection Camp for the 2019 IIHF World Junior Championship.

Also considered for the award this week was QMJHL rookie William Grimard of the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles who also went 2-0-0-0 winning one game by shutout while stopping a total of 34 shots for a goals-against-average of 1.00 and save percentage of .944.  In the WHL, Vegas Golden Knights prospect Jiri Patera of the Brandon Wheat Kings posted a 2-0-0-0 record stopping 62 total shots for a goals-against-average of 1.50 and save percentage of .954.

2018-19 Vaughn CHL Goaltenders of the Week – Regular Season:
Nov. 26 – Dec. 2: Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (Sudbury Wolves)
Nov. 19 – Nov. 25: Kyle Jessiman (Baie-Comeau Drakkar)
Nov. 12 – Nov. 18: Ian Scott (Prince Albert Raiders)
Nov. 5 – Nov. 11: Michael DiPietro (Windsor Spitfires)
Oct. 29 – Nov. 4: Joseph Raaymakers (London Knights)
Oct. 22 – Oct. 28: Stephen Dhillon (Niagara IceDogs)
Oct. 15 – Oct. 21: Émile Samson (Blainville-Boisbriand Armada)
Oct. 8 – Oct. 14: Alexis Gravel (Halifax Mooseheads)
Oct. 1 – Oct. 7: Trent Miner (Vancouver Giants)
Sept. 24 – Sept. 30: Luke Richardson (Kitchener Rangers)
Sept. 19 – Sept. 23: Hunter Jones (Peterborough Petes)