UConn is already off to a 6-1 start, including wins over Boston University and Ohio State. This week, the Huskies will receive an added boost after freshman Samu Salminen (★★★★¼) was finally cleared to join the university and the program. Salminen, who had visa issues, flew into Boston this past weekend and started practicing this week.
Salminen was selected in the third round of the 2021 NHL Draft by the New Jersey Devils. He was committed to Denver until this past summer when he had issues with admissions. That’s when UConn entered the picture.
“Salminen is the captain of this Finnish team and is a hard-working, skilled offensive player,” NZ scouts said at the 2021 U18 Worlds. “He registered a goal and an assist in this game for his team, with the goal coming at a crucial moment to tie the game late in the third period. His goal came on the powerplay where Salminen did good work for his team throughout the night. On the play, he carried the puck into the zone, set up the offence and planted himself in front. Seeing an opportunity, Salminen moved to the top of the circle and made himself an option for a seam pass, before firing a hard one-timer past the goalie. He did some of his best work in front of the net, fighting for rebounds and making life difficult for the Czech netminder. In the offensive zone, he forechecked hard and consistently won battles for his team. He is a detailed, hard-working player that led his team by example.”
While battling his immigration issues, Salminen was taking online classes in preparation for the start of his college career. He scored 48 points (19g, 29a) in 44 games for Jokerit’s U20 team last season (he was also a team captain). Salminen also appeared in two games for Finland’s U20 national team.
This isn’t the first time UConn has been able to swoop in and commit an international player that had admissions problems elsewhere. Forward Max Letunov was committed to Boston University before he ran into similar issues and switched his commitment to UConn in 2015.
