Matt Hellickson, Mikko Kokkonen Assigned To Growlers

ST. JOHN’S, NL – The Newfoundland Growlers, ECHL affiliate of the Toronto Maple Leafs, announced today that defencemen Matt Hellickson and Mikko Kokkonen have been assigned to the club by the Toronto Marlies (AHL).

Hellickson, a 25-year-old Minnesota native, has played 30 games for the Marlies this season, collecting six points (1G, 5A) in the process.

A former 7th round draft pick of the New Jersey Devils in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, Hellickson split the 2021-22 season between Newfoundland and Toronto before suiting up in 18 postseason games for the Growlers last spring.

Kokkonen, a 22-year-old Mikkeli, Finland native, has spent most of the season in the AHL but did play six games earlier this season with the Growlers, notching three points (1G, 2A) with Newfoundland.

The Toronto Maple Leafs 3rd round pick from the 2019 draft, Kokkonen has played most of his career to date in Finland while also representing the Finnish national team in the 2020 & 2021 World Junior Championships.

Hellickson and Kokkonen are expected to join Newfoundland for their upcoming homestand as they host the Trois-Rivières Lions April 7-9 at the Mary Brown’s Centre. Tickets are available at nlgrowlers.com/tickets.