Prospect Info: Round 4, Pick 107: Heikki Ruohonen, C, Kiekko-Espoo U20 (SM-Saarja) -> Dubuque (USHL) -> Harvard (NCAA)

[GKJ]

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[Appleyard]

Ruohonen is a player whose draft stock has risen partially due to exposure. His five points in five games at the u-18 WJC have had him catapult as high as top 50 in some rankings. There is a lot to like about his game, he is an intelligent two-way center who is diligent defensively, works hard in all three zones, can deliver some bruising hits, and rarely loses a board battle. And all this is ignoring the fact that he had the highest P/GP of any first time draft eligible u-20 SM-Sarja regular this season. Very few players who do what he did this season at that level don’t end up – at worst – good Euro league or AHL players. Offensively he is a deceptive passer who is a danger around the net to boot. He will never be the most “skilled” player, his hands can be clunky, and he can struggle to get shots off from tough spots. Ruohonen is also not the worst skater but does need to get a bit quicker is he is going to excel at the pro level. However, his IQ, drive and well-rounded game mean that with continued improvement to his skating he has a chance to one day make the NHL in a bottom-six role.

What I wrote about him for Smaht.

Final 2024 NHL Draft Rankings - Smaht Scouting

The Smaht Scouting team put together their top 100 prospects and honorable mentions for the 2024 NHL Draft class.

smahtscouting.com

 

[sa cyred]

Going to USHL next year

 

[FLYguy3911]

Young and good production but the Finnish Junior League isn't great. The interesting thing with these European college commits is they can't play pro hockey and kinda get stuck playing junior hockey at a level that may be beneath their abilities and they can stagnate waiting to be eligible to play college hockey.

Another u18 pick.

 

[GKJ]

I find it weird when players come from Europe to play college, but stop over in USHL. Just seems like a lot.

 

[FLYguy3911]

I find it weird when players come from Europe to play college, but stop over in USHL. Just seems like a lot.

Acclimation and may not be eligible grade wise. He is really young for his class. Not sure how the grade levels in Finland match with the US.

 

[GKJ]

Acclimation and may not be eligible grade wise. He is really young for his class. Not sure how the grade levels in Finland match with the US.

They also want to raise the profile of the USHL, but I don’t know how that’s gonna work once CHL players become NCAA-eligible.

 

[iceman42]

Are they doing the Hextall stockpile a position strategy?

 

[SolidSnakeUS]

Another more proper pick.

 

[Appleyard]

I find it weird when players come from Europe to play college, but stop over in USHL. Just seems like a lot.

Colleges often want them to play USHL first to adapt... and tbh a lot of junior Euro guys are not ready for NCAA tbh.

USHL is better than J20 and U20 SM-Saarja.

Tbf to USHL in terms of difficultly of playing in the league? The transferability stats say that it is harder than the CHL. Ofc does not have as much top talent but CHL more diluted at bottom... and CHL is a slightly younger league.

 

[GKJ]

Colleges often want them to play USHL first to adapt... and tbh a lot of junior Euro guys are not ready for NCAA tbh.

USHL is better than J20 and U20 SM-Saarja.

Tbf to USHL in terms of difficultly of playing in the league? The transferability stats say that it is harder than the CHL. Ofc does not have as much top talent but CHL more diluted at bottom... and CHL is a slightly younger league.

It’s a lot more tight league because theres so few teams, players don’t have to be drafted, as they’re getting international talent.

 

[Larry44]

Here's what our friend Grant McCagg had to say on Recrutes and a couple nice video links. Looks like a big slowish C who hits a bit. We'll see.

Feisty Ruohonen Honing his Skills

 

[IronMarshal]

I like this pick a lot.

 

[Gsus]

Had never heard of this guy, but this years junior competitions he played very well and was one of the best Finnish players imo.

Glad to see Flyers finally draft a Finn or two. I think before Tuomaala there was a very long pause.

At 13 when they drafted Luchanko, there was Helenius still on the board.. That stinks a little, hes a Flyer type of player.

 

[mr figgles]

Looks like we already have a logjam for future bottom 6 Cs

 

[Larry44]

Looks like we already have a logjam for future bottom 6 Cs

And the Phantoms will be well stocked too.

 

[Appleyard]

Scouting Heikki Ruohonen, the Flyers' Finnish fourth round pick - PHLY Sports

Heikki Ruohonen was the third center that the Flyers selected in the 2024 NHL Draft. What might his upside be?

allphly.com

Have a read... naturally behind a paywall but I doubt anyone who is not reporting to an NHL team has written a more in depth report on him. (also includes context etc)

 

[Larry44]

Have to say, I was impressed with his DevCamp interview. Confident, smart guy who knows what he wants. Emulates Barkov, wants to play in the NHL so he's going to Harvard next year after playing in USHL for Dubuque.

 

[Appleyard]

Scored yesterday too in a 4-1 win vs Czechia.

 

[blackjackmulligan]

Scored yesterday too in a 4-1 win vs Czechia.

one pick I actually liked.

 

[VladDrag]

Last year summer hockey shift by shift. Looked decent -I can understand this pick.

 

[Larry44]

He's been added to the Finnish roster for the World Junior Summer Showcase.

 

[BigToe]