• Heponiemi finished second in Broncos scoring and first among WHL rookies with 28-58—86 during the 2016-17 regular season (72 GP). He was the recipient of the Jim Piggott Trophy, awarded annually to the WHL Rookie of the Year.

• In 2015-16, Heponiemi spent the majority of the season with Ilves’ under-18 team in Finland, where he was named Best Forward and to the First All-Star Team after recording 25-40—65 (39 GP) in the regular season and 2-4—6 in five postseason contests. He also recorded 2-2—4 in seven regular-season games with Ilves’ junior team and appeared in seven playoff games for the eventual league champions.

• Internationally, Heponiemi represented Finland at the 2015 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge (5 GP) and tallied 0-5—5 in 4 GP for Finland at the 2016 Ivan Hlinka Memorial.

• Compares his style of play to Flyers forward Valtteri Filppula.

• Lists former NHL forward Pavel Datsyuk as his childhood hockey idol.


GETTING TO KNOW ALEKSI:

If I could "Carpool Karaoke" with any celebrity it would be: Ivy

TV show I recently binge-watched: Suits

The celebrity that always makes me laugh: Jim Carrey

The app I spend too much time on: Facebook

At an all-you-can-eat buffet I go straight for the: Hot Wings

Athlete I admire most: Usain Bolt

One thing people don't usually know about me: I like fishing

If I could be any superhero I would be: Batman


ALEKSI’S GO-TO EMOJI: