LD Mikko Kokkonen - Jukurit, Liiga (2019, 84th, TOR)

[JJTT]

He will go pro and finish school from home.

http://yle.fi/urheilu/3-9178864

Kokkonen still has nearly 3 months to break Joensuu's record. Seems unlikely he would not play by then.

 

[OG]

Would very much enjoy the Canes having a Kuokkanen and a Kokkonen.

 

[FinnishSniper]

https://youtu.be/2dPZ_70nzg8 This is him playing in the A-Junior team. Erä 1 means period 1 and so on. Kokkonen's skating has really improved over the last year. He is wearing #10 on the yellow team. He is playing LD.

 

[Treb]

Apparently he already played 6 games in the U20 this year (EP is not up to date it seems) http://www.tilastopalvelu.fi/ih/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=9&stgid=2322

6 games 2 goals +/- 2

Less impressive than his 4 pts in 4 games last year, but still great considering he's a 15yo D.

 

[Orvelo]

Apparently he already played 6 games in the U20 this year (EP is not up to date it seems) http://www.tilastopalvelu.fi/ih/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=9&stgid=2322

6 games 2 goals +/- 2

Less impressive than his 4 pts in 4 games last year, but still great considering he's a 15yo D.

You have to take on account that he played A-juniors mestis last year which is a tier lower than where he is playing now (A-SM liiga)

 

[Treb]

You have to take on account that he played A-juniors mestis last year which is a tier lower than where he is playing now (A-SM liiga)

Thank you for the correction, I had not seen that.

 

[Treb]

Tied 116th in scoring in the league with 3 goals 1 assist 4 points in 9 games (10 on his team), but as far as I can see, he's one of the only 13 U17 players in that league and the only U16. Pretty much like a player with exceptional status playing in the CHL.

 

[ijuka]

Urho Vaakanainen would be a relatively highly touted defensive prospect and he had 12p in 30gp at that age.

From what I've seen I'd consider Kokkonen to be a tier above, however.

 

[JJTT]

First liiga game today. Becomes youngest player to ever play in the Finnish league at 15 years, 9 months of age.

 

[teravaineSAROS]

First liiga game today. Becomes youngest player to ever play in the Finnish league at 15 years, 9 months of age.

Oh really?? is it because of skill or lack of depth on the team? how good is he compared to other Finnish D prospects at that age?

 

[ijuka]

Oh really?? is it because of skill or lack of depth on the team? how good is he compared to other Finnish D prospects at that age?

Tough to say.

Currently at A-junior SM-League(u-20), he's at 3+3=6(+1) in 12 gp. +/- is a weak stat for sure, but he is on a terrible team with a poor goal differential so it might be worth a mention.

Very few defensemen have recently played there at u-16, but here's some comparison points:

Urho Vaakanainen 4+8=12 in 30 gp
Olli Juolevi 1+3=4 in 11gp
Rasmus Ristolainen 1+1=2 in 5 gp


The all-time record in that league by a u-16 defensemen by a thousand miles is held by Aki-Petteri Berg with 18+24=42 in 39 gp.

 

[teravaineSAROS]

Would very much enjoy the Canes having a Kuokkanen and a Kokkonen.

What about Kukkonen or Kahkonen? there's always less established folks like Kekonen, Kekki or Kuukka aswell.

 

[Hammer Slammer]

Looks like he got 2:50 of icetime and was -1.

http://liiga.fi/pelaajat/31128854/kokkonen-mikko
http://liiga.fi/ottelut/2016-2017/runkosarja/4229/tilastot/

 

[Hagged]

Too early for him to even get a taste. 15 year old D-men should play at U20 at most. 3 minutes don't even keep you warm and the bad experiences against the pros can affect self confidence negatively. It's totally different for forwards though, especially wingers can be brought up at a very young age.

 

[Raimo Sillanpää]

2:50 Icetime??
Looks like the tabloids calling this a publicity stunt got it right..

 

[Huokaus]

2:50 Icetime??
Looks like the tabloids calling this a publicity stunt got it right..

Apparently even his own coach said it's pretty much a publicity stunt according to this: http://www.iltasanomat.fi/sm-liiga/art-2000001932903.html

"We need these kind of stories - and now we're shamelessly taking advantage of that. In this business, aside from wins you also need to have stories" -Dufva

 

[Quethas]

Too early or not (probably yes), but sitting at the bench is not developing player. If Jukurit intends to play Kokkonen in Liiga in the near future, he should get real minutes instead of couple of shifts. Now he just got more pressure to succeed in his career being the record holder instead of just being promising prospect.

Kokkonen did seem bit lost during Ässät's 1-1 goal though.

 

[ikzu]

At the moment A-juniors is the right level for Kokkonen. Would take a godlike talent to play as a 15 year old defender against men professional teams.

Maybe next season he could get more games in Liiga, but definitely not at this season.

 

[Treb]

At 6 points, he's already tied 13th in all-time season by a U16 in the U20 SM-Liiga. Tied 3rd for D.

Top10:

1. Aki-Petteri Berg (D) 1992-1993 TPS U20 39 18 24 42 1.08 24
2. Patrik Laine (LW/RW) 2013-2014 Tappara U20 40 26 11 37 0.93 43 -7
3. Jesse Puljujärvi (RW) 2013-2014 Kärpät U20 18 12 11 23 1.28 4 15
4. Lauri Selänne (F) 2000-2001 JYP U20 22 13 7 20 0.91 8
5. Aleksi Saarela (C) 2012-2013 Lukko U20 22 8 10 18 0.82 6 -1
6. Aleksander Barkov (C) 2010-2011 Tappara U20 25 5 12 17 0.68 6 7
7. Jesperi Kotkaniemi (C) 2015-2016 Ässät U20 23 5 10 15 0.65 12 15
8. Julius Nättinen (C) 2012-2013 JYP U20 24 5 10 15 0.63 6 -3
9. Jonatan Tanus (LW/C) 2010-2011 Tappara U20 19 6 7 13 0.68 6 -1
10. Urho Vaakanainen (D) 2014-2015 Blues U20 30 4 8 12 0.40 34 20

 

[Noma]

4. Lauri Selänne (F) 2000-2001 JYP U20 22 13 7 20 0.91 8

Lauri Selänne wasn't U16 in 2000-01. EliteProspects lists him being born in 1990, while he really was born in 1980. He didn't really score almost a point per page as a 10-year-old.

 

[iloveloov*]

If you took out the letter k, o and n out of his name he would be called Mi E

 

[jalperi]

Kokkonen have 5 goals and 8 assist on 22 games on A-juniors.

 

[Tube Skates]

Thanks for the update. Haven't seen anything on him in a long time. Thought he might have been injured. Sounds like a very impressive young talent. Hope he develops and we get to see him on the world junior stage in a couple of years

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Thanks for the update. Haven't seen anything on him in a long time. Thought he might have been injured. Sounds like a very impressive young talent. Hope he develops and we get to see him on the world junior stage in a couple of years

If he's really as good as some seem to think, he could make the WJC team next year.

Finland puts a lot of younger players on their WJC teams.

 

[Keke]

If he's really as good as some seem to think, he could make the WJC team next year.

Finland puts a lot of younger players on their WJC teams.

Our 1998 born defence is very strong so I don't think he'll be on our team next year. But if he makes it that would make me very happy.