There isnโt much information out there on Salonen, who wasnโt ranked by any major scouting services coming into this summerโs draft. Born in December of 2005, this was the second year of draft eligibility for Salonen. Heโs listed at 6-foot-3 and catches right-handed.
Born in Espoo, Finland, Salonen split the 2024-25 season between Lukkoโs U20 team and on loan with Hokki in Finlandโs second-highest professional league, known as Mestis.
Salonen was dominant at the U20 level last season. He posted a 23-1-0 record with a .933 save percentage for Lukko during the regular season and then went 9-2 in the playoffs with a .911 save percentage. In eight games at the pro level, Salonen went 4-3-1 with a .909 save percentage.
This is the second year in a row that the Oilers used a draft pick on a Finnish goaltender. Last year, they selected
Eemil Vinni in the second round at 64th overall. Edmonton also used a sixth-round pick on goaltender Nathaniel Day in the 2023 NHL Draft.
Get ready for wall-to-wall coverage of one of the biggest days in the calendar โ the Daily Faceoff Live Free Agency Special goes live on July 1st at 11 AM EST. Host Tyler Yaremchuk is joined by Carter Hutton, Matthew Barnaby, Jeff Marek, Hart Levine, Colby Cohen, Jonny Lazarus, and insiders from across the Network for three hours of in-depth analysis, live reactions, and real-time updates on every major signing and trade. From blockbuster deals to under-the-radar moves, weโre breaking it all down as it happens. Donโt miss a minute โ catch the full special live on DailyFaceoff.com and Daily Faceoffโs YouTube. 
