BUFFALO, N.Y (FOX5) — Vegas Golden Knights General Manager Kelly McCrimmon announced Thursday that the team selected defenseman Juho Piiparinen with the 29th overall pick of the 2026 NHL Entry Draft.
Piiparinen, 17, spent most of the 2025-26 season with Tappara in Finland’s top league, Liiga, skating in 29 games and recording three assists with a +6 rating.
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The six-foot-three defenseman also played for Tappara U20 last season, appearing in 15 games and posting 13 points — one goal and 12 assists — with a +9 rating.
Piiparinen represented Finland at the 2026 World Junior Championship, playing in six games with one assist and a +6 rating.
Draft continues Saturday in Buffalo
The 2026 NHL Entry Draft will continue Saturday, June 27, at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York. The event is scheduled to resume at 8 a.m. PT.
Vegas currently holds six picks Saturday: third round (92nd and 95th overall), fourth round (117th overall), fifth round (159th overall), sixth round (191st overall) and seventh round (223rd overall).
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