After selecting Owen Tippett with the 10th overall pick in the first round, the Panthers turned their attention over to their remaining picks in the Draft. The day started with their 2nd round pick (40th overall), in which they would select Center Aleksi Heponiemi.
Aleksi spent the year playing for the Swift Current of the Western Hockey League. Standing at just 5’10 in height and weighing 150 pounds, Heponiemi is a little speedster when playing. What he lacks in size, he makes up for with speed and skill. In 72 games played, he recorded 28G, 58A, and 86 points all together.