One of two 2023 seventh-round picks, the Finnish defenseman could see time in Finland’s top league this season.
The 2024 version of our PensBurgh Top 25 Under 25 countdown continues with a still-raw seventh-round defenseman from last year’s draft.
Graduates and departed players from last year’s list
The best of the rest
#25: Raivis Ansons
#24: Kirill Tankov
#23: Isaac Belliveau
#22: Taylor Gauthier
#21: Chase Pietila
#20: Emil Jarventie
#19: Kalle Kangas
2023 Ranking: N/A
Age: 19 (Feb. 1, 2005)
Acquired Via: 2023 NHL Draft (Round 7, Pick 223)
Height/Weight: 6-foot-4, 200 pounds
A junior-level defenseman this past season, the 19-year-old saw time split between Jokerit’s U-20 side and Jokerit in the Mestis, Finland’s second-highest professional hockey league.
Kalle Kangas Jokerit johtaa avauserän jälkeen 2-1.
: @MTVUrheilu #Jokerit #Mestis #JokeritLiikuttaa pic.twitter.com/i6yHd9OZyG
— Helsingin Jokerit (@jokerithc) March 21, 2024
In 40 Mestis games, Kangas registered four goals and nine points as a plus-10. He also scored a lone playoff goal across four playoff games.
While representing Finland at international competitions last year, Kangas played in 14 games, scoring three assists. Kangas also registered four assists in five international games during the World Junior Summer Showcase in July.
Finland is finally on the board – Sebastian Soini from Kalle Kangas and Joona Saarelainen. 4-1. #WJSS pic.twitter.com/G2VpJw9Rcr
— Steven Ellis (@SEllisHockey) July 29, 2024
In a positive step in his development, Kangas, with fellow 2023 seventh-rounder Emil Järventie, were signed to amateur tryout agreements by the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins before the AHL Penguins’ season ended in April. Kangas did not play in any AHL games, however.
Kangas may be poised to see time in Liiga this season, Finland’s top hockey league, with HPK after signing a two-year contract with the club. Scoring a career-high four goals last season, the Vantaa native will be hoping to use his rocket of a shot more frequently in 2024-25.
Kalle Kangas laukoo ja tuplaa @jokerithc johtoaseman! #Mestis #SuomenViihdyttävintäLätkää
@MTVUrheilu pic.twitter.com/WYI4bZuTHm
— Mestis (@Mestis) December 13, 2023
Not initially touted as an offensive defenseman, his 6-foot-4 frame and “shutdown” style of play are a few traits I’m sure Pittsburgh Penguins scouts were intrigued by during last year’s draft. However, given his size, some have wondered how much more Kangas can grow in the skating department to become a more well-rounded player.
The second-to-last pick in the 2023 draft, Kangas is still years away from sniffing an NHL lineup and has not signed an NHL contract, but Kyle Dubas and his staff may have found a late-round player who’s more than just a body on a blue line.