On June 1st, the Florida Panthers signed forward Henrik Haapala to a two-year entry-level contract. Haapala has spent his entire career in the Finnish Elite League (liiga), representing Tappara (Finland). The 23-year-old recorded 15G, 45A and 60 points in 51 games played last season.
The Finnish native is also good friends with Aleksander Barkov, who both spent some time playing for Tappara together. Now the two will be reunited once again, but this time in Sunrise, Florida. Even though Barkov is one year younger than Henrik, he has promised that he will take care of his fellow fin and will help him adapt in his new surroundings.