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Finnish Prospect Update Thread

Jukurit said:
Two 12 year olds have made their debut in U16 Sm-Sarja this season already. Frans Karjalahti and Otto Boman. Names to look for the future or is it too early?
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Does anybody have any idea how many 12 year olds have played at U16 Sm-Sarja? I know Kiviharju played at his Draft-5 year, but he only played 8 games, and if I remember correctly, he had turned 13 before playing in U16 Sm-Sarja. Karjalahti and Boman already playing games this early seems highly unusual.
 
Liiga starts on Tuesday, 13th while SHL on Saturday, 17th with DEL in between (15th).
 
Thread not sticky anymore?

2023 Draft
1. Kasper Halttunen W
2. Emil Järventie W
3. Rasmus Kumpulainen C
4. Jesse Kiiskinen W
5. Lenni Hämeenaho W
6. Emil Pieniniemi D
7. Arttu Kärki D
8. Tuomas Uronen W
9. Niko Minkkinen D
10. Tom Leppä C
11. Noa Vali G
12. Kalle Kangas D
13. Jimi Junkkari D
14. Jesse Nurmi W
15. Arttu Alasiurua C/W

Honorable mentions: Elias Jansson W, Emil Kuusla W, Jimi Suomi D, Niklas Talvikunnas D, Visa Vedenpää G


2024 Draft
1. Aron Kiviharju D
2. Eemil Vinni G
3. Joona Saarelainen C/W
4. Konsta Helenius C/W
5. Tuomas Suoniemi C
6. Veeti Väisänen D
7. Niilopekka Muhonen D
8. Sebastian Soini D
9. Petteri Rimpinen G
10. Emil Hemming W
11. Roope Vesterinen W
12. Julius Miettinen C/W
13. Topias Hynninen C/W
14. Niklas Nykyri D
15. Ville Väärälä C

Honorable mentions: Heikki Ruohonen C/W, Natan Teshome C/W, Joonas Paqvalin W, Matti Butkovskiy W, Bruno Jalasti D, Eelis Marila D, Toni Nyman D
 
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Erikfromfin said:
Thread not sticky anymore?

2023 Draft
1. Kasper Halttunen W
2. Emil Järventie W
3. Rasmus Kumpulainen C
4. Jesse Kiiskinen W
5. Lenni Hämeenaho W
6. Emil Pieniniemi D
7. Arttu Kärki D
8. Tuomas Uronen W
9. Niko Minkkinen D
10. Tom Leppä C
11. Noa Vali G
12. Kalle Kangas D
13. Jimi Junkkari D
14. Jesse Nurmi W
15. Arttu Alasiurua C/W

Honorable mentions: Elias Jansson W, Emil Kuusla W, Jimi Suomi D, Niklas Talvikunnas D, Visa Vedenpää G


2024 Draft
1. Aron Kiviharju D
2. Eemil Vinni G
3. Joona Saarelainen C/W
4. Konsta Helenius C/W
5. Tuomas Suoniemi C
6. Veeti Väisänen D
7. Niilopekka Muhonen D
8. Sebastian Soini D
9. Petteri Rimpinen G
10. Emil Hemming W
11. Roope Vesterinen W
12. Julius Miettinen C/W
13. Topias Hynninen C/W
14. Niklas Nykyri D
15. Ville Väärälä C

Honorable mentions: Heikki Ruohonen C/W, Natan Teshome C/W, Joonas Paqvalin W, Matti Butkovskiy W, Bruno Jalasti D, Eelis Marila D, Toni Nyman D
Click to expand...

I was impressed by Muhonen at the Hlinka. Do you think he has any offense in his game or only a guy with an adequate first pass but no offensive instincts?
 
Pavel Buchnevich said:
I was impressed by Muhonen at the Hlinka. Do you think he has any offense in his game or only a guy with an adequate first pass but no offensive instincts?
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No he is more of a steady toway guy with size. In younger juniors he could provide some offense duo physical advantage but dont expect him to put up points at pro level. From the 4 great defenders Kiviharju, Väisänen and Soini I think his the least talented in terms of offence
 
Jukurit said:
Didn't seem like he had much offensive instincts to me.
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Erikfromfin said:
No he is more of a steady toway guy with size. In younger juniors he could provide some offense duo physical advantage but dont expect him to put up points at pro level. From the 4 great defenders Kiviharju, Väisänen and Soini I think his the least talented in terms of offence
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The reason I ask is because I thought he could actually make some plays with the puck in his own zone. He wasn't just throwing it around the boards. He's also 6'4 and nearly 200 pounds at 16 years old and not a bad skater. You'd think he could at least develop a hard shot that can score some goals.

But sometimes players like this don't show any initiative to take offensive risks. He reminds me of some draft prospects like Roman Schmidt, Nikolai Makarov in that regard. I think he has some good tools that it's possible he develops more in the upcoming years, even if right now he doesn't provide any offense.
 
Pohjola camp awards were given

Best goalie: Kasper Kuusikoski, Kiekko-Espoo (Vallet)
Star player: Rasmus Baggström, HIFK (Vallet)
MVP: Jesper Kotajärvi, Hermes (Sakut)

All Stars:
Goalie:
Kasperi Kuusikoski, Kiekko-Espoo (Vallet)
Defenderst:
Jesper Kotajärvi, Hermes (Sakut)
Julius Saari, Jokerit (Hantat)
Forwards:
Jasu Mensonen, Lukko (Vallet)
Benjamin Strömberg, Jokerit (Jutit)
Atte Joki, Tappara (Jutit)


unfortunately there was some racist comment made by a player
Jääkiekon 15-vuotiaiden Pohjola-leirillä rasistinen välikohtaus – yksi poika lähetettiin kotiin
 
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Anyone watched Pohjola Camp games? Any standout players? Hasn't been any discussion on this age group.

Only now started watching from 6th placed team Lasset players that made selection.
Goalie Patrik Kerkola was average in net, looks calm but had some bad rebounds.
Center/winger Rasmus Kämäräinen and winger Urho Mattila were decent competitive hard working forwards
but nothing too high end or crazy. They should be solid depth options for U16NT. The winger Joonas Rajala
didn't really impress so much other than couple good shots and one or two rushes in my oppinion his a weaker selection. Late birthday so 2026 draft eligible thou.

The clear standout player from Lasset was right-shot defender Aaron Paju. Well-sized guy with
good smooth skating. Played almost flawless mistakeless game, good defending, strong passer puck always on tape, overall smart, poised and reliable guy. Didn't do any crazy high end offensive plays but just very good overall defender. Only seen this one team so far but Paju should be better defenders of this age group.
The other somewhat impressive defender Alvar Ervasti was also big, strong and mobile guy for his size.
He was a bit of a hit or miss risky type of defender. Had some impressive plays but also some suspect defending
and made some sloppy passes but has the frame, mobility, heavy shot, some physicality and upside with seasoning.
 
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Erikfromfin said:
Thread not sticky anymore?

2023 Draft
1. Kasper Halttunen W
2. Emil Järventie W
3. Rasmus Kumpulainen C
4. Jesse Kiiskinen W
5. Lenni Hämeenaho W
6. Emil Pieniniemi D
7. Arttu Kärki D
8. Tuomas Uronen W
9. Niko Minkkinen D
10. Tom Leppä C
11. Noa Vali G
12. Kalle Kangas D
13. Jimi Junkkari D
14. Jesse Nurmi W
15. Arttu Alasiurua C/W

Honorable mentions: Elias Jansson W, Emil Kuusla W, Jimi Suomi D, Niklas Talvikunnas D, Visa Vedenpää G


2024 Draft
1. Aron Kiviharju D
2. Eemil Vinni G
3. Joona Saarelainen C/W
4. Konsta Helenius C/W
5. Tuomas Suoniemi C
6. Veeti Väisänen D
7. Niilopekka Muhonen D
8. Sebastian Soini D
9. Petteri Rimpinen G
10. Emil Hemming W
11. Roope Vesterinen W
12. Julius Miettinen C/W
13. Topias Hynninen C/W
14. Niklas Nykyri D
15. Ville Väärälä C

Honorable mentions: Heikki Ruohonen C/W, Natan Teshome C/W, Joonas Paqvalin W, Matti Butkovskiy W, Bruno Jalasti D, Eelis Marila D, Toni Nyman D
Click to expand...
How is Hemming 10. I’m hearing he should be number 2/3 from the fins in 2024
 
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Silkytentacles said:
How is Hemming 10. I’m hearing he should be number 2/3 from the fins in 2024
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He is very skilled has great danglers hands and shot and scoring but overall twoway game and competitivness isnt quite what you would hope also a bit of soloistic player. I have him nr1 pure winger. I think theres gap from Saarelainen and Helenius both were in or in contention already at Hlinka better prospects in my oppinion and NT management seem to agree. Also the defenders like Väisänen and Muhonen play quite pro projectable game and Soini has tremendous upside too... it's just one of the best age groups ever in my oppinion. Even Vesterinen at 11 is already getting Liiga action so no shame being there atm. Would love to hear these other peoples list also I haven't seen anywhere
 
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Central Scouting Finns
https://cms.nhl.bamgrid.com/images/assets/binary/336751096/binary-file/file.pdf

A Halttunen Kasper
B Hämeenaho Lenni
B Järventie Emil
B Kiiskinen Jesse
B Uronen Tuomas
C Alasiurua Arttu
C Harkimo Dan
C Jansson Elias
C Jatkola Juha
C Junkkari Jimi
C Kangas Kalle
C Kumpulainen Rasmus
C Kuusla Emil
C Kärki Arttu
C Leppä Tom
C Minkkinen Niko
C Noiva Nestor
C Nurmi Jesse
C Peltonen Janne
C Pieniniemi Emil
C Talvikunnas Niklas
C Vali Noa
C Vedenpää Visa
C Ylitalo Otso

Pretty expected list.
 
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Jukurit said:
Looks like a pretty bad draft for Finland.
Click to expand...

Could be worse. I don't know if you are reacting to the Central Scouting ranking but I wouldn't give it too much credit. Just one list among others. I think there are some exciting Finnish prospects in this draft and you never know who will surprise. I am just happy if there's at least one first rounder and a handful of second rounders. I remember the dark days for Finnish prospects and things are much better now even if there's not a guaranteed top 5 pick. I just wish Finland produced more quality defensemen.
 
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www.eliteprospects.com

Aatu Niittymäki - Stats, Contract, Salary & More

Eliteprospects.com hockey player profile of Aatu Niittymäki, 2005-09-07 Finland. Most recently in the U20 SM-sarja with TPS U20. Complete player biography and stats.
www.eliteprospects.com www.eliteprospects.com

Anyone know how big this kid is or why he hasn't gotten a look at the U20 level?
 
Around 5 foot 10.

Also, it's the first year he's played in u-18s and also the first year he has especially good stats, so it's pretty normal that they wouldn't promote him to u-20s after a dozen games.
 
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Seems like Nurmi and Kiiskinen are flying under the radar right now. Statistically their numbers are strong as hell, not a lot of guys score at that pace. You look at the last few years of the U20 League the guys in the upper echelon scoring at that sort of pace are pretty damn good prospects. We'll see if they maintain this pace. I'm just stat watching here though, anyone actually see these 2 this season ?
 
Any opinions on Arttu Valila? He was the only 2025 draft eligible on the Finnish WHC17 team, and I thought he showed some good skating and puck moving ability. A little small, but only turned 16 last week.
 
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