Eurolanche

Avalanche signs Rantanen

The Colorado Avalanche Hockey Club announced today that the team has signed forward Mikko Rantanen to a three-year, entry-level contract.

Rantanen, 18, was Colorado’s first-round pick (10th overall) in the 2015 NHL Draft held last month.  The top-rated international player according to NHL Central Scouting, Rantanen tallied 28 points (9g/19a) in 56 games for TPS in the Finnish Elite League (Liiga) this past season while serving as an alternate captain.  TheNousiainen, Finland, native also played for the TPS junior club during the 2014-15 playoffs, helping the squad win the league championship with 14 points (6g/8a) in seven contests.  Rantanen was given Best Player honors by the league for his postseason success.

“Mikko is a versatile forward who brings size, skill and a high compete level,” said Avalanche Executive Vice President/General Manager Joe Sakic.  “We saw him at our development camp last week and are now eager to see how he does at our training camp in September.”

The 6-foot-4, 211-pound right wing played for Finland at the 2015 IIHF World Junior Championship in Toronto/Montreal, recording four goals in five games during the tournament.

Rantanen’s international experience also includes representing his nation at the 2014 Under-18 World Championship.  In addition, he tallied seven points (2g/5a) in five games at the 2014 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge and led Finland with seven points (3g/4a) in five games at the 2013 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament.

-- Avalanche Press Release --