Play It Forward B-Roll With the 113th pick at the 2023 NHL Draft, the New York Islanders [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/latest-news/new-york-islanders-nikolaj-ehlers-winnipeg-jets-2024-nhl-draft] selected Finnish forward Jesse Nurmi [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/features/new-york-islanders-2023-nhl-draft-nelson-nurmi-schulz-gill-good-bogg]. According to PuckPedia [https://puckpedia.com/team/new-york-islanders], the 19-year-old inked his three-year entry-level contract this past Monday. Nurmi, who missed time this past season, played a total of 25 games for KooKoo, suiting up for six games for their Under-20 team (four goals, four assists), playing in 19 games for their Liga team (two assists). The left-winger representing Finland at the Under-19 (four games, two goals, one assist) and the Under-20 tournament (six games, two assists) this past season: The Hockey News had the pleasure of attending the 2023 NHL Draft in Nashville, where we interviewed Nurmi at the podium. It was a rather nerve-wracking day for the Finn, who was hoping to hear his name called. "Just being like little nervous all the time thinking about in the back (of my mind), it's going to come one day, and today...it's like dream come true," Nurmi said. "It's so amazing," He told us that, due to his contract, he couldn't come over until the 2025-26 season, so one more year with KooKoo seems to be in the cards. However, things have changed. Nurmi will be headed to North America for the 2024-25 season, per KooKoo [https://www.kookoo.fi/artikkelit/jesse-nurmi-siirtyy-pohjois-amerikkaan/], as it seems he got out of his contract. Ahead of the 2023 Draft, Nurmi had a breakout season in Finland, scoring 21 goals with 29 assists for 50 points in 41 games for KooKoo's Under-20 team before just one assist in nine games with the big club. Here's how Nurmi views his own game: "I think I'm pretty good with the offensive game, like making little passes, good shots, doing little passes with the guys," Nurmi said in Nashville. When asked who he models his game after, Nurmi quickly answered with Carolina Hurricanes star forward Sebastian Aho and Columbus Blue Jackets forward Patrik Laine. The New York Islanders have yet to officially announce the signing, but PuckPedia's policy is that they won't announce a contract unless it's been registered. TOP STORIES
