Mikael Kotkaniemi joined the Toronto Maple Leafs as a European scout effective August 1, 2025, with responsibility for the entire continent. He is the father of Carolina Hurricanes center Jesperi Kotkaniemi. Mikael played several seasons in the Finnish Liiga and retired in 1999. He began coaching as an assistant for Ässät's U20 team in 2006, spent three seasons there, then became head coach of the U18 team before advancing to the first team. He served as an assistant coach in the Liiga in 2011, filled interim head-coach roles, and later led Finland's U17 and U18 national junior teams. This position marks his first formal scouting role with an NHL organization.
I'm excited to share that as of August 1, 2025, I have joined the Toronto Maple Leafs as a European Scout, with responsibility for the entire continent,
It's a real privilege to become part of such a storied organization-one that inspires so much passion and emotion among fans around the world. I'm looking forward to contributing to the Leafs' future success.
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