Keep an eye on Tim Wahlgren! He's a 98-born forward that scored 6+4 in 8 for Ångermanland in TV-pucken and 13+7 in 33 in j18 Elit for Kramfors. Clubs like Luleå, Timrå, HV71 and probably more has already showed their interest in this kid, but he will most likely end up in Modo, his favorite team. http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=178225
Puljujärvi, Laine, Juolevi and Reunanen are some of the better Finnish players at the moment for sure. I would throw into mix a few other players: Juha Jääskä, Oliver Felixson and Paavo Kilponen.
Jääskä wore an A for HIFK U16 team as an underager. Nice skill level and hockey sense. Able to create a lot of offense. Also is a decent skater.
Felixson played with HIFK U16 as well as with year younger players. He is 6´5 tall, but is actually a fairly mobile defenseman. His confidence with the puck seemed to improve as the season went on. I actually saw him rushing the puck up ice in a few occasions. Good hard shot, although I didn´t see him using it much.
Kilponen played for Ilves U16 and put up decent totals as an underager. Skilled forward who can skate and make some good moves. Really would have liked to see him playing more.
All were selected to Finland U16 National Team candidates.
Keep an eye on Tim Wahlgren! He's a 98-born forward that scored 6+4 in 8 for Ångermanland in TV-pucken and 13+7 in 33 in j18 Elit for Kramfors. Clubs like Luleå, Timrå, HV71 and probably more has already showed their interest in this kid, but he will most likely end up in Modo, his favorite team. http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=178225
Hope this kid grows some because right now he is listed at 5'9" and 139 pounds. Here in North America - tough to be a prospect at that size - ask the scouts and recruiters.
Hope this kid grows some because right now he is listed at 5'9" and 139 pounds. Here in North America - tough to be a prospect at that size - ask the scouts and recruiters.
He is born in 98. That size is perfectly fine, he won't be eligible for the draft in three years. These measurements are also probably from TV-pucken, he has probably grown a bit since.
Puljujärvi, Laine, Juolevi and Reunanen are some of the better Finnish players at the moment for sure. I would throw into mix a few other players: Juha Jääskä, Oliver Felixson and Paavo Kilponen.
Jääskä wore an A for HIFK U16 team as an underager. Nice skill level and hockey sense. Able to create a lot of offense. Also is a decent skater.
Felixson played with HIFK U16 as well as with year younger players. He is 6´5 tall, but is actually a fairly mobile defenseman. His confidence with the puck seemed to improve as the season went on. I actually saw him rushing the puck up ice in a few occasions. Good hard shot, although I didn´t see him using it much.
Kilponen played for Ilves U16 and put up decent totals as an underager. Skilled forward who can skate and make some good moves. Really would have liked to see him playing more.
All were selected to Finland U16 National Team candidates.
How would you rank finnish 2016-draftees right now?
How would you rank finnish 2016-draftees right now?
Puljujärvi looks to be the top prospect for certain at the moment. Then there are a bunch of good players after him. Such as Laine, Juolevi, Reunanen who have been already mentioned, as well as guys like Markus Nurmi, Juuso Välimäki, Otto Mäkinen, etc. But if I had to make a TOP 10 list, my would look like this:
1. Jesse Puljujärvi
2. Patrik Laine
3. Otto Mäkinen
4. Markus Nurmi
5. Juuso Välimäki
6. Olli Juolevi
7. Tarmo Reunanen
8. Emil Oksanen
9. Tino Siren
10. Paavo Kilponen
+ Juha Jääskä, Markus Niemeläinen, Aleksi Nousiainen...
Puljujärvi looks to be the top prospect for certain at the moment. Then there are a bunch of good players after him. Such as Laine, Juolevi, Reunanen who have been already mentioned, as well as guys like Markus Nurmi, Juuso Välimäki, Otto Mäkinen, etc. But if I had to make a TOP 10 list, my would look like this:
1. Jesse Puljujärvi
2. Patrik Laine
3. Otto Mäkinen
4. Markus Nurmi
5. Juuso Välimäki
6. Olli Juolevi
7. Tarmo Reunanen
8. Emil Oksanen
9. Tino Siren
10. Paavo Kilponen
+ Juha Jääskä, Markus Niemeläinen, Aleksi Nousiainen...
How does Jesse Puljujarvi compare in terms of talent and potential to Finland's top 2015 Aleksi Saarela?
^Oksanen,Välimäki and Siren are 2017s, born after 15.9.1998
My bad, didn´t check their birthdates. Actually, I would add to the list D Jesper Mattila and F Niko Lönnroos. Both are 1997´s but have looked good in the junior C.
Quote:
Originally Posted by JFA87-66-99
How does Jesse Puljujarvi compare in terms of talent and potential to Finland's top 2015 Aleksi Saarela?
First of all, I have to admit that I have not seen Puljujärvi as much as Saarela. However, from what I have heard and seen of Puljujärvi, he seems to be more of a goal-scorer. Great size as well at 6´2. But Saarela is very good too. I saw him playing at World Selects last year and came away very impressed. Very solid two-way skills, excellent playmaker who won lots of faceoffs. And this season he just seemed to improve and already made his first appearance in the FEL.
1. Jesse Puljujärvi
2. Patrik Laine
3. Otto Mäkinen
4. Markus Nurmi
5. Juuso Välimäki
6. Olli Juolevi
7. Tarmo Reunanen
8. Emil Oksanen
9. Tino Siren
10. Paavo Kilponen
+ Juha Jääskä, Markus Niemeläinen, Aleksi Nousiainen...
Why do you see Välimäki as the most promising D from 98's? Can't say that I know his game inside out, but I wasn't particularly impressed when I saw him. Välimäki was selected to Pohjola camp all-stars, but I'm not sure if that means much. Last year Atte Töyry received the same honour and he wasn't that special either, as shown by that fact that he wasn't even a regular with the U16 national team this season.
Janne Kuokkanen might turn out to be a fairly interesting prospect from this age group, not the most well rounded player but has pretty good puck skills.
Why do you see Välimäki as the most promising D from 98's? Can't say that I know his game inside out, but I wasn't particularly impressed when I saw him. Välimäki was selected to Pohjola camp all-stars, but I'm not sure if that means much. Last year Atte Töyry received the same honour and he wasn't that special either, as shown by that fact that he wasn't even a regular with the U16 national team this season.
I thought that Välimäki was a reliable defenseman with fairly good awareness and mobility. When I compare him to Reunanen for example, I think Välimäki is better defensively, but not as flashy player as Reunanen is. Välimäki has also posted decent numbers, but I don't like to judge players by looking at their points. Välimäki also has some decent offensive potential.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tormentor
Janne Kuokkanen might turn out to be a fairly interesting prospect from this age group, not the most well rounded player but has pretty good puck skills.
Riku Törnqvist from Jää-Ahmat could be an interesting player as well. Played behind only an okay defense, but showed some really good ability and was able to make some big saves.
Last edited by Sparta2009: 05-05-2013 at 07:35 AM.
Actually, I would add to the list D Jesper Mattila and F Niko Lönnroos. Both are 1997´s but have looked good in the junior C.
