Mikko Lehtonen joins Severstal Cherepovets

Skelleftea AIK forward Mikko Lehtonen has moved to KHL’s Severstal Cherepovets, according to the official website of the Russian club.

This season Lehtonen has scored 58 (30+28) points in 55 matches of the Swedish regular championship and 8 (3+5) points in 18 play-off matches. Thus, the 24-year-old forward has become the best gaolscorer of the regular championship.

Lehtonen has also taken part in three Euro Hockey Tour stages, having played 8 matches for the Finland national team.

Lehtonen will become the first Finn in Severstal. Earlier it was reported about Metallurg Novokuznetsk being interested in him.

The rights to Lehtonen in NHL belong to the Minnesota Wild. During the 2011 deadline the Wild have aquired the rights to the Finn together and Jeff Penner, having exchanged them with the Boston Bruins for Anton Khudobin.