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jtp · 06-12-2019, 10:26 PM

The draft didn’t go as Jukka expected but it may have just been the best thing that could have happened.

Leading up to the draft he had been contacted by various scouts and GM’s and asked a varying degree of questions. Despite all his pre draft training and media engagements they all seemed to have cautious interest for the unknown Finnish winger. In the last couple hours before the draft the Anaheim Outlaws approached Jukka and told him he was very high up on their board. They said they were thinking about drafting him at 10th overall and if they didn’t they would grab him if he was available with their next pick. This was the most information he had on a possible destination.

The Outlaws were ecstatic that Jukka dropped to the 26th pick of the draft. They used their 2nd pick to get him. When they found out he was still available they were absolutely buzzing. They believe he is the absolute steal of the draft. They have had nothing but great things to say about their 3rd round steal.

“We're extremely excited that we were able to select Jukka Jokinen where we did, he was a player we were considering with our 1st round pick if our other targets got selected.” Lallo Selman said. “As the pick number got closer and closer to #26 and Jokinen was still on the board, the belief in the Outlaws war room that we could somehow grab Jokinen at 26 got stronger and stronger. When we were finally on the clock and Jokinen was still on the board we were in disbelief. It was an easy pick to make, we believe we got the steal of the draft in Jokinen and are beyond excited that he'll be an Outlaw.”

His development coach and Finnish legend Here Lehtmenin felt that he got unfairly snubbed.

“I think it’s crazy how such a good player went all the way to the third round.” Lehtmenin said. “I’m not saying the players who were picked in front of him don’t deserve it but maybe he didn’t the fairest of looks.”

Jukka made it to the finals but didn’t win the championship in his last season in Finland. He is now on a team that has just won the Four Star Cup. He realizes that this team has already proven they can win a championship and with the addition of him and the other newest prospect thinks they can get back to back cups. He is determined to prove to everyone who passed over him that they made the biggest mistake of the draft.

“It just motivates me that much more you know. I really thought teams would see how much work I have put in and my talent and want to pick me up quick.” Jokinen proclaimed. “I really want to prove to my team and everyone else that I can contribute more than the players who went ahead of me.”

Earlier today the Outlaws and Jokinen made it official and inked a $3 million contract. Both parties were extremely excited to make it official. Jokinen had joked that the first thing he was doing with his money was going straight to the casino. With some guidance from the staff and his teammates he decided that might not be the best idea. Not even to mention the fact that Jokinen can’t even legally gamble in North America.

“Ya I thought about heading down to the casino and throw around some money.” Jokinen laughed. “But I decided to fly in my good friend Here Lehtmenin for some more training.”

Getting drafted has not stopped Jukka from always striving to improve. The whole draft has just made him hungrier. He has been working on his shot a lot this week but plans to take some time off with the new rookies before the preseason starts.

I can see Jukka doing big things in Anaheim. I think this is the perfect place for him to start his career. They have a great staff and a team full of great guys. They have a winning culture and the drive and talent to win there second Four Stars Cup in a row.

712 words. Double Draft Media.

Segi · 06-13-2019, 05:01 AM

After McShotty and Tedla, the Outlaws continue to get great players in later rounds. Outlaws

BDonini · 06-14-2019, 03:23 PM

Jukka Jokinen continuing the Outlaws legacy of drafting late round studs Ilike

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