Highly-rated Finnish prospect Luca Santala signs with OHL's London Knights

Finnish ice hockey talent Luca Santala is set to join the prestigious London Knights in the Canadian Hockey League's Ontario Hockey League (OHL). Santala, who will celebrate his 17th birthday on Tuesday, has signed a contract with the storied franchise, known for developing numerous NHL stars.

Santala was previously contracted with Kiekko-Espoo for two seasons, with his deal extending to the spring of 2028. His move to the Knights signifies a significant step in his development towards a professional career. As a forward, Santala is considered one of the most promising players in his age group and will be eligible for the NHL draft next year.

During the recent U18 World Championship, Santala led the Finnish team, known as the "Little Lions," in scoring with 4 goals and 2 assists in five games. His father, former top player Tommi Santala, began his hockey career in Switzerland before the family returned to Finland in 2018, where Luca joined Kiekko-Espoo. Santala's departure means all five Kiekko-Espoo players who represented Finland at the U18 World Championships have now left the club, with others moving to different Finnish or North American teams.