Leppanen taking the North American plunge with the Oilers organization

Atro Leppanen comes from the Finnish factory town of Mantta that merged with neighbouring Vilppula, the municipality an hour north of Tampere, a little place of under 10,000 people where museums are one of the attractions. Article content

Why are we talking art when we’re talking hockey player Leppanen? Article content Article content

“I worked at a museum, watching the paintings,” says the interesting Edmonton Oilers defence prospect, who led the Finnish Liiga, their highest-level hockey, in points last season, breaking the longtime defenceman record of New Jersey Devils-Detroit Red Wings Brian Rafalski, who played over there.

Leppanen was like a security guard?

“Yeah, in a way. Nobody touches the paintings. That was my job.”

Clearly, the 183-pound Leppanen, who spent four year