As a 16-year-old playing in Finland’s under-18 Jr.B league, he tallied 33 points in 44 games and drew attention as a potential top prospect for the 2017 draft. Since crossing over to North America in 2015 as the 14th overall selection in the import draft, Valimaki has developed into the Tri-City Americans’ top all-situations rearguard and has become a dominant WHL defenceman.
In terms of offensive production, Valimaki produced one of the best seasons of any draft-eligible player in 2016-17 with 61 points in 60 games (19g, 32a), including 14 even-strength goals. Among first-year eligible CHL defencemen in the 2017 draft class, he’s the only one to finish over a point-per-game.