With the 12th pick in the 2020 NHL Draft, the Florida Panthers selected center/forward Anton Lundell.
19-year-old Lundell spent the 2019-2020 season with HIFK of Finland’s top professional league. He had 10 goals and 18 assists. The two-way center/forward helped Finland win the 2019 World Junior Championship, recording one goal and three assists in seven games played, including an assist on Kaapo Kakko’s game-winning goal in the Gold Medal game.
The 6-foot-1, 185-pound left-hander also assisted Finland in winning the Gold at the 2018 Under-18 World Championship. He had two goals and four assists during the competition.
In a video conference, new Panthers GM Bill Zito said “It’s the completeness,” regarding what stood out about Lundell’s style of play. “His level of maturity is pretty significant,” Zito said. “Our Finnish scout Jari Kekalainen deserves the credit for really doing the work and really going the extra mile in knowing Anton.”
Compared to Aleksander Barkov in his scouting report, many people describe him as a playmaker who makes smart decisions in all three zones.
“I think my strengths are in the offensive game,” Lundell said in a video conference. “I can create chances for myself and my linemates. At the same time, I think I can play a really good two-way game.”
Lundell who was born in Espoo, Finland, was born with hockey through his veins. Lundell’s father Jan Lundell, competed for 16 seasons as a goaltender in Liiga. Jan now serves as the goaltending coach for HIFK, the league Lundell played in.
In three games with HIFK in the 2020-21 Liiga season, Lundell has already produced a goal and an assist. An overall great draft choice for the Florida Panthers! Lundell has tons of value for a 12th pick.