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It’s been fun to watch Canadiens rookie Jesperi Kotkaniemi mature so quickly on and off the ice as an 18-year-old in the NHL, especially as the father of a son who turns 18 in three months.

Eighteen can be an awkward age for any kid as they officially become an adult while their hormones are still changing, along with their voice. It can also be a whole lot of fun.

It’s hard to believe any 18-year-old in Montreal is having more fun right now than Kotkaniemi, who was named the first star after the Canadiens’ 5-2 win over the Ottawa Senators Saturday night at the Bell Centre when he had a goal and an assist. Heading into Monday night’s game against the Boston Bruins, Kotkaniemi had 4-13-17 totals in 33 games and was plus-2.

If you were were watching the June NHL Draft on TV from Dallas, you probably remember the fan the cameras caught in the stands wearing a Canadiens sweater and a look of shock with her hands to her face after the team selected Kotkaniemi with the No. 3 overall pick rather than Brady Tkachuk or Filip Zadina.