This afternoon, it was announced that Cincinnati Cyclones goaltender and Buffalo Sabres prospect, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen would represent his squad in the 2020 ECHL All-Star Classic. In his first full season of professional hockey in North America, the 20-year-old netminder has posted 11 wins and a save-percentage of .919 in 18 games. His steady performance between the pipes has helped the Cyclones remain in first-place in the ECHL’s Central Division.
As one of just a handful of bright spots in the Sabres’ developmental system, fans have watched Luukkonen’s development with great interest. In 2019 his performance at the U20 World Junior Championship helped lift Team Finland to a gold medal over the United States. Last season, he was voted as the OHL’s Most Outstanding Player, posting a .920 save-percentage in 53 games for the Sudbury Wolves.
His inclusion in this event is just another step in the right direction for the increasingly impressive former second-round pick. The game will be held at the INTRUST Bank Arena in Wichita, Kansas on January 22.