Flint Firebirds’ Vili Saarijarvi named OHL defenseman of the month

By @MichaelCaples –

The Ontario Hockey League announced their’ defenseman of the month’ today, and he’s a player with multiple Michigan connections.

Vili Saarijarvi, a defenseman for the Flint Firebirds, received the monthly honor from the OHL today. The Red Wings’ third-round pick in last summer’s NHL Draft leads all OHL defensemen with 16 points in 14 games.

The native of Rovaniem, Finland was the Firebirds’ first-round acquisition in the 2015 CHL Import Draft, and the decision to pick up the Red Wings prospect before Flint’s inaugural season has certainly paid off for the Firebirds. Saarijarvi, who spent last season in the USHL, has racked up two goals and 14 assists in his first taste of OHL hockey.

MORE: Red Wings prospect, Firebirds defenseman Saarijarvi adjusting well to OHL | Red Wings draft pick Vili Saarijarvi officially signs with Flint Firebirds