New Oiler was working in a factory before signing contract with Edmonton
Photo credit: Imagn Images
New Oilers defenceman Atro Leppanen is becoming a standout story at training camp, and he's had an incredible story of his rise to success.
The 26 year old Finnish defenceman was signed by the Oilers with only 2 years of pro hockey experience. He was a late bloomer with a meteoric rise to the NHL, and not long ago he was just a working man.
Atro Leppanen speaks on his shocking rise to the NHL from Finland
Just 4 seasons ago, Leppanen was an undrafted over-ager playing in the second division Finnish league. He had almost no prospects for even pro hockey, but then took a major leap forward.
After dominating the Mestis league for one year, Leppanen was brought up to LIIGA and didn't look back. In his second season, he exploded for 63 points in 60 games from the blueline - and caught the attention of the Oilers for a contract.
But in those few years trying to move up in hockey, Leppanen got by doing whatever he could to further his dream of hockey. In a new interview with the DailyHive, Leppanen revealed all the odd jobs he worked to keep playing hockey.
On and off, in the summers I worked in a couple of factories. In a museum, for a couple of summers, watching the paintings, [making sure] nobody touches the paintings, that was my job.
I had no interest in going to school. I didn't really have anything else I wanted to do. I wasn't thinking too much about quitting [hockey].
[The Oilers] reached out somewhere in the spring I just made an intuitive choice.
- Atro Leppanen
I had no interest in going to school. I didn't really have anything else I wanted to do. I wasn't thinking too much about quitting [hockey].
[The Oilers] reached out somewhere in the spring I just made an intuitive choice.
- Atro Leppanen
Going from working in a factory to playing preseason games for the Oilers in just a few years is an incredible story for the Finnish defender.
Leppanen's impressed Oilers fans and management with his slick puck skills and offensive-zone abilities early on. While he's been a standout player so far, he still may need time in the AHL to improve his defensive game.
All in though, Leppanen is clearly a skilled player and a person that's easy to root for. Hopefully he can find a way to crack the Oilers roster for his NHL debut later this year.
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