Kaapo Kakko, the New York Rangers second-overall selection in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, is on his way to New York to take part in his first training camp.

New York Rangers prospect Kaapo Kakko is heading to Broadway next week. The second-overall selection in the 2019 NHL Draft is ready to start the next chapter in his hockey career.

The 18-year-old has been working out in Turku, Finland throughout the summer. He spoke with Iltalehti, a Finnish website, last Friday about what he has done this summer and his expectations prior to his trip to the city that never sleeps.

“Strong and speed I have invested, and I think I’ve gone ahead yes”, Kakko said as his interview was translated by Google translate.

Prior to his selection by the Rangers, the scouting report on him described a great stick handler who has good vision of the ice around him and a fast skater who plays a hard physical game. In addition, the kid’s a player who can put the puck in the net, yet is smart on the defensive side of the ice. He’s the complete package the club desperately requires.

Kakko will head over to New York in about a week and a half, without his parents, Iltalehti reported.

“The South [Kakko] will move to New York in a week and a half alone. He did not, therefore, take their parents – or the other of them – says in support as some other young NHL – players have done.”

He has been in touch with one of the players this summer, Mika Zibanejad. The center has a mother who is from Finland which is why he speaks fluent Finnish. “I haven’t met Mika yet, but we’ve communicated.”

The Rangers are ready to put a tough rebuild behind them, and with the arrival of Kaapo Kakko, the team now has a great chance to start winning games this season.

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