The Hockey East Conference could be getting another star in the next few years. Finnish junior goalie Jere Huhtamaa has personally announced his commitment to Merrimack College. Although it is unclear when Huhtamaa plans on coming over to North America, Mike McMahon of The Mack Report speculates that it will not be until at least the 2020-21 season.
Although Huhtamaa, 18, went undrafted this year it was somewhat of a surprise. The Finnish netminder, who is described as being big, patient, and quick, was ranked 12th among European goalies by NHL Central Scouting and projected even higher by others. Yet, he was not one of the more than 25 keepers selected back in June. Interestingly, Huhtamaa’s numbers compare well to some of the highest drafted European goalies. Huhtamaa played in 32 games last season at the top junior level of the Finnish Liiga with the Espoo Blues program, posting a .907 save percentage and 2.35 GAA. He also played for five games with Finland’s U-18 team, including a shutout spot start at the U-18 World Junior Championships, and recorded a .914 save percentage. In comparison, highly-touted Colorado Avalanche third-round pick Justus Annunen played at the same levels as Huhtamaa and posted nearly identical numbers. Anunnen played 26 games for Karpat of the Junior-A Liiga with a .907 save percentage and 2.31 GAA and as the starter for Finland’s U-18 team, had a .914 save percentage at the World Juniors and an .889 mark overall. Maybe even more impressive is how Huhtamaa compares to Olof Lindbom, the first goalie selected in the draft. At the same top junior level in Sweden, Lindbom – who also has a similar size and style to Huhtamaa – managed only an .897 save percentage and 3.10 GAA in 20 games, although he was phenomenal at the U-18 World Juniors.
All things considered, Merrimack may have found a diamond in the rough and player that very well may be drafted as an overager before he ever arrives in North Andover, Massachusetts. The Warriors could use a star as they look to reinvigorate the program. Still relatively new to Division I hockey, Merrimack fired the only head coach they have ever had at the top collegiate level in Mark Dennehy following this past season. The team has failed to advance past the quarterfinals of the Hockey East tournament since 2011 and have had six straight seasons with losing records. Merrimack needs to improve their performance if they hope to attract elite talent possibly landing a legitimate NHL prospect in Huhtamaa as their future starting goalie could be a good start.