Highly touted Finnish prospect Sebastian Aho is bound for North America.
The Carolina Hurricanes agreed to terms with their 2015 second-round draft pick on a three-year, entry-level contract, GM Ron Francis announced Monday. The deal will pay Aho $832,500 in the NHL or $70,000 in the American Hockey League for all three seasons. Aho receives a signing bonus of $277,500.
“Sebastian is regarded as one of the top prospects in hockey and is ready to begin his North American career,” Francis said. “He had a tremendous season as an 18-year-old playing against men in Finland’s top league, and was outstanding in international competitions including the recent World Championship. He will play an important role for the Hurricanes moving forward.”
Aho, who was selected to his country’s World Cup team, led Karpat of Finland’s top pro league in scoring in 2015-16, with 45 points (20 goal, 25 assists) in 45 games.
Among all Liiga skaters, he ranked tied for fourth in goals, ninth in points and tied for 11th in assists, despite missing 15 pro games because of time spent with the national junior team. The Rauma, Finland, native also tied for third in playoff scoring with 15 points (four goals, 11 assists) in 14 games.
Selected by the Hurricanes 35th overall, Aho has totaled 59 points (24 goals, 35 assists) in 78 career games in Liiga for Karpat and Assat Pori. He scored the game-winning goal in overtime of Game 7 during Liiga’s Kanada-malja final in 2015 to give Karpat its second consecutive league championship.
Aho scored seven points in the 2016 IIHF World Championship, helping Finland capture silver. He also led Finland to the gold medal at the 2016 World Junior Championship, ranking second in the tournament in scoring with 14 points (five goals, nine assists) in seven games.
June 13, 2016
Carolina Hurricanes
