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LW Kristian Vesalainen (2017, 24th, WPG)

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RW/LW Kristian Vesalainen - Frölunda HC, SEL (2017 Draft)

Couldn't find a thread about this kid yet but figured he deserves one (if not for better reason than possibly being the only 16 year old Finn who's about to ever set foot on Swedes' top league). Vesalainen has generated a bit of talk in Finland already and could be making his SEL debute today. Continuing a new trend of big bodied skill forwards coming down from a small cold country in Scandinavia.

Player profile:
http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=222125
 
That's pretty impressive to crack into SHL top team as 16 year old. Most likely few games but still impressive. Next year we have Välimäki, Vaakanainen, Vesalainen, Tolvanen, Salo etc... Talent is just coming from every direction.
 
Porkkan4 said:
I feel like 2016 top prospects are better than 2017 but the 2017 depth after 1st round is better.
Click to expand...

Hard to match that top talent of 2016 crop but my main point was that we are producing many quality prospects every year.
 
Can some super-swedes or someone who watches the game report us about him?
 
What-kind contract Vesalainen, has with Frölunda.
Wondering that is there any chance or hope, to see him HIFK's liiga team next season.
 
FinnHockeyFan said:
What-kind contract Vesalainen, has with Frölunda.
Wondering that is there any chance or hope, to see him HIFK's liiga team next season.
Click to expand...

Why? He's already getting some games and experience in a very strong mens league.
 
wings5 said:
Why? He's already getting some games and experience in a very strong mens league.
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One thing firs-ting, Vesalainen is HIFK's own junior.
Then there's not any guarantees can HIFK keep, Tomas Zaborsky,Joonas Rask ( Tuukka's little brother),Mika Partanen and Juuso Puustinen their FEL roster next season.
These players agreements, ending after this season.

If HIFK has a chance to replace, leaving players for own juniors ( Look Oulun Kärpät's FEL roster).
That's better than buy former NHL/AHL/KHL/NLA/SHL players, without any information their physical condition ( injury reports etc).
And are they booms of busts.

HIFK has made a lot changes, their junior program.
Thanks for that belongs to Ville Peltonen ( Former NHL player and captain Finland's men's national team).
Who has hired for coaching director in HIFK juniors.

Also HIFK head coach Antti Törmänen ( former NHL player in Ottawa Senators 1995-1996) has good reputation, in Finnish hockey community.
And he's excllent coach for junior players.
 
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I don't think he has any reason to come back to Finland. There aren't many teams better than Frölunda when its about developing young players.
 
Last year Laine was toiling in Finnish jrs and Mestis and, this year had a big impact as an underager in the WJC and showing strong NHL potential. This year Vesailainen is having a strong year in Sweden jrs while getting some SHL games. Obviously he is not as hyped and thought of to be as talented as Laine/Pulju but could he potentially be a riser and make a same strong impact next year as the other two?
 
wings5 said:
Last year Laine was toiling in Finnish jrs and Mestis and, this year had a big impact as an underager in the WJC and showing strong NHL potential. This year Vesailainen is having a strong year in Sweden jrs while getting some SHL games. Obviously he is not as hyped and thought of to be as talented as Laine/Pulju but could he potentially be a riser and make a same strong impact next year as the other two?
Click to expand...
Not as good, but possible 1st rounder for sure. He probably isn't getting as big role so expectations shouldn't be too high.
 
He is very skilled but unlikely to be on the same level as previously mentioned. With these young kids you never know what kind of strides and leaps they take over the summer though (just look at Laine now).
 
Vesalainen has been flying under the radar, while Laine and Puljujärvi are currently getting all the attention. Has anybody really seen him playing for Frölunda in SHL?

Impressive to get playing time in top 5 league in the world at the age of 16. Seems like a big kid who's improved a lot lately. Only 2 points in 17 games in Finnish U20 league last year, now almost PPG in 25 SuperElit games, and also 7 games played in SHL.
 
I assume he is rather locked pick for the U18 tournament. Will be interesting to see him play for the first time.
 
Tero Lehtera and some scouts have said that Kristian is Jesse Joensuu 2.0. Can become a good player.
 
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