Jesperi Kotkaniemi headlines Canadiens' NHL Rookie Showdown participants

MONTREAL - Finnish phenom Jesperi Kotkaniemi headlines the group of future Canadiens stars who will be in action at the upcoming NHL Rookie Showdown 2018 at Place Bell in Laval.

The event will give fans a chance to get a first-hand look at Kotkaniemi and fellow Habs hopefuls against top prospects from the Ottawa Senators and Toronto Maple Leafs.
The Canadiens' prospects will open play against the best and brightest in the Senators' system on Friday, September 7, at 7 p.m. ET. The Habs rookies will be back in action on Sunday, September 9, against the Maple Leafs' future stars with an afternoon tilt beginning at 3 p.m. ET.
Kotkaniemi was selected third-overall by the Canadiens at the 2018 NHL Draft in June. During his first season in the pros in Finland's Liiga, the Pori native scored 10 goals and amassed 29 points in 57 games for his hometown team - Porin Ässät. A standout performance at the 2018 IIHF U18 World Championship also opened plenty of eyes to Kotkaniemi's outstanding potential.
This will mark the first time the 18-year-old centerman will suit up in game action on Quebec soil.

Joining Kotkaniemi at the NHL Rookie Showdown 2018 will be fellow pivot Jake Evans, who is turning pro after a stellar four-year career in the NCAA ranks with the University of Notre Dame.
Last season, the Toronto native captained the Fighting Irish and helped lead them to within one win of a national title. He also ranked as the club's top point-getter, amassing 46 points (13G, 33A) in 40 games.

Fellow Ontarians Will Bitten, Cam Hillis, and Jeremiah Addison will be suiting up alongside Evans at Place Bell.
Sweden's Lukas Vejdemo will also be on-site on the North Shore following a productive season with Djurgarden in the Swedish Hockey League.
The 22-year-old center is eager to put his skills on display on this side of the pond again after putting up a career-high 10 goals and 22 points in 47 games during the 2017-18 campaign.
For their part, Quebec natives Alexandre Alain and Samuel Houde will undoubtedly enjoy every second of their NHL Rookie Showdown 2018 experience playing on home soil.
The full roster for the event will be made available soon.
Here is the complete event schedule:
September 7, 2018, 7 p.m. ET - Game No.1 Montreal Canadiens vs. Ottawa Senators
September 8, 2018, 3 p.m. ET - Game No. 2 Ottawa Senators vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
September 9, 2018, 3 p.m. ET - Game No. 3 Montreal Canadiens vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
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