With the 52nd overall selection in the second round of the NHL Entry Draft, the Pittsburgh Penguins selected Joel Blomqvist, a six-foot-two, 183-pound goaltender. The Finnish netminder played in the professional SM-Liiga for Karpat where he went 2-0 with an impressive 1.50 GAA, and a .914 Save Percentage. He spent the majority of the season with Karpat’s junior team, where he will likely play throughout this upcoming season again.
The Finnish netminder impressively was the third-ranked European goaltending prospect in the draft. Karpat’s scouting report lists Blomqvist as a tall, athletic goaltender who can read and track pucks well in his net. His reflexes and calm demeanor on the ice cap off quite an impressive resume for the 18-year old. Blomqvist won the top goaltender award for the Finnish junior league boasting a 1.66 GAA, and a .931 Save Percentage.
Blomqvist was a highly sought after prospect who plays a composed, smart, and confident game. His composure makes him a very attractive and intriguing prospect in the Penguins development system. Overall, the Finland native has the potential to be the future goaltender of the organization, something Penguins fans should be excited about.
Blomqvist will likely be one of three netminders representing Finland in this year’s World Junior Hockey Championships, something Penguins fans should watch closely.
The Penguins made a total of five selections in the 2020 NHL Draft throughout Rounds 2-6. The team did not have a first-round pick in this past draft. Pittsburgh traded the 15th overall selection as part of a six-player deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs which saw Kasperi Kapanen head south of the border. Pittsburgh’s first pick in the second round of the draft was also acquired via trade with the Ottawa Senators. The deal with the Senators saw two-time Stanley Cup Champion Goaltender Matt Murray shipped north of the border.
