Oilers select Puljujarvi 4th overall

The Edmonton Oilers, with their first round selection, fourth overall in the 2016 NHL Draft, have selected winger Jesse Puljujarvi from Oulu Karpat of the Finnish Elite League (SM-liiga).

Puljujarvi, 18, spent last season with the Finish Elite League’s Oulu Karpat, recording 28 points (13G, 15A), 22 penalty minutes and a plus five plus/minus rating in 50 games. He also posted nine points (4G, 5A) in 10 playoff games. Puljujarvi ranked sixth on Karpat in points (28) and goals (13) and eighth in assists (15).

The 6’4”, 203-pound winger has spent the past two seasons with Karpat, accumulating 39 points (17G, 22A) and 32 penalty minutes in 71 career games.

Puljujarvi has represented his country several times internationally, most recently at the 2016 World Junior Hockey Championship where he led the tournament in scoring, registering 17 points (5G, 12A) in seven games, helping Finland capture a gold medal. Puljujarvi was named the tournament’s Best Forward and became the youngest player in the tournament’s history to win Most Valuable Player. His 17 points ranks him second in all-time points for a player under the age of 18 in the tournament behind Jaromir Jagr, tying Wayne Gretzky and Eric Lindros.

Puljujarvi has also represented Finland at the 2016 Under-18 World Junior Hockey Championship, 2015 World Junior Hockey Championship, 2015 Under-18 World Junior Hockey Championship and the 2014 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament.