Sudbury Wolves fans may not have been able to watch their team this season, but they can still root for members of the Pack who are taking the next steps in their careers.
Standout Wolves netminder and fan favourite Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen will make his NHL debut tonight for the Buffalo Sabres when they take on the Boston Bruins.
Luukkonen has spent the 2020-21 season with the Sabres' AHL affiliate, the Rochester Americans, posting a record of 7-5-2 with a 3.60 GAA and .888 SV%.
The 22-year-old goaltender is just two years removed from a stellar season with the Wolves where during the 2018-19 season he took home the OHL Goaltender of the Year Award and the Red Tilson Trophy for the OHL's Most Outstanding Player.
Luukkonen backstopped Team Finland to a gold medal at the 2019 World Junior Hockey Championships.
Sudbury.com caught up with Luukkonen when he returned to Sudbury after the 2019 tournament and got to know what makes him tick. You can check out that interview below.
Luukkonen will have his work cut out for him in his first ever NHL start as the Bruins come into the game riding a six-game winning streak.
Puck drop for the Sabres vs Bruins game goes at 7 p.m. this evening.
Another Sudbury Wolves alum has been having a solid start to his professional hockey career, as 2020 second overall draft pick Quinton Byfield is leading the AHL's Ontario Reign in points with seven goals and 12 assists for 19 points in 28 games.
