Jannik Hansen is from the other major producer of hockey talent in Denmark; Rødovre - a suburb in Western Copenhagen. The same program that produced players such as Lars Eller and Mikkel Bødker.
I am on the phone, but saw this link at RFC with some comments in Swedish from a Canadian player who played in Denmark las season (who gives his view on the Danes who will play in Swe this season).
I am extremely intrigued with this pick. Love everything I have read. Sounds like Jesper Fasth the year he was drafted. Secondary league with good stats.
WOW @ Nick Ebert going LAST overall. Formerly looked at as a top 3 OVERALL pick two years ago. Talk about not developing. I called him going in the 5th or so round and was laughed at by some of the idiots on the main board. Last overall. Unreal.
Yeah that is a pretty unprecedented fall. Those interviews must have been pretty bad or something.
Now onto Spelling. Very interesting late round pick. Right hand shot, fluid snipers shot, finds the holes from the top circle on in. Check out the release from about 15 or 20 feet on the right side 13 seconds into this game recap:
It will be a surprise to me if Spelling is not on the NT in ALL tournaments next season. He has so many assets the NT are in need of:
Goal scoring touch
A right shot
Good wrister
Speedy skates
Creativity on the powerplay
AND ONCE MORE... A RIGHT SHOT
To me, he is - besides Nicklas Jensen - the most interesting prospect to come out of the Danish league in the last 5-7 years. Well, since Peter Regin and Jannik Hansen. He has all the tools to become one of the best Danish players and whichever NHL team drafts him (if) have found a diamond in the rough.
When that is said, there is plenty of room for improvent:
Bulking up - fill out the frame. I'd say that Spelling's ideal "hockey weight" would be around 85-88 kg. But that is not something he should set for within 1 or 2 years. Focusing on building on muscles instead of adding more fat than actual muscle mass.
Improving the defensive aspect of his game
Bettering his strengths: Shot, skating etc.
Adjust to the tempo and speed of international hockey.
Being the original poster of the above quoted on International Hockey Forums, I totally can stand in for what I wrote a couple of months ago. Keep in mind, though, that it was written from a Danish perspective, where our ice hockey program is far from being as developed as the US program. When that is said, Spelling is a really interesting prospect and a well spent 5th round pick.
I hope that he will spend the next two-three years in Sweden, adjusting to the top pro game, and then head to the Rangers training camp prior to 2014-15/2015-16 season, trying to make the team.
Here is a couple of highlights from the past season. Thomas Spelling is #8.
Being the original poster of the above quoted on International Hockey Forums, I totally can stand in for what I wrote a couple of months ago. Keep in mind, though, that it was written from a Danish perspective, where our ice hockey program is far from being as developed as the US program. When that is said, Spelling is a really interesting prospect and a well spent 5th round pick.
I hope that he will spend the next two-three years in Sweden, adjusting to the top pro game, and then head to the Rangers training camp prior to 2014-15/2015-16 season, trying to make the team.
Here is a couple of highlights from the past season. Thomas Spelling is #8.
Thank you Jacob Christian for your insight and videos. Much appreciated. It is always interesting and refreshing to get a perspective from a person who has actually seen these players play instead of the usual BS spewed from the so-called "Draft Experts" around here. Come on, you know who you are.
I wonder if he's going to be picked in the CHL import draft.
I very much doubt he will, that would be a wasted pick given his age and his SEL contract.
I wonder why so many of you would like for him to come to play in the CHL (besides to better be able to follow him)? He will clearly develop better in the SEL, and in 2-3 years he will be ready to come to NA. He is still very rough in his game, and he need to learn a lot and I believe he will do that better in a strong European league than in an American junior league.
I am sorry if I sound a little rough, but I have seen too many European players going to NA before they are ready, and ruining their career. Please be patient with this player, I actually believe he has a chance to become a 2nd to 3rd line NHL player if he is given sufficient time to develop right.
I very much doubt he will, that would be a wasted pick given his age and his SEL contract.
I wonder why so many of you would like for him to come to play in the CHL (besides to better be able to follow him)? He will clearly develop better in the SEL, and in 2-3 years he will be ready to come to NA. He is still very rough in his game, and he need to learn a lot and I believe he will do that better in a strong European league than in an American junior league.
I am sorry if I sound a little rough, but I have seen too many European players going to NA before they are ready, and ruining their career. Please be patient with this player, I actually believe he has a chance to become a 2nd to 3rd line NHL player if he is given sufficient time to develop right.
He should most definitely stay in Europe for at least 2-3 more years. The Rangers should think about bringing him over at 21 or 22. He is raw.
I very much doubt he will, that would be a wasted pick given his age and his SEL contract.
I wonder why so many of you would like for him to come to play in the CHL (besides to better be able to follow him)? He will clearly develop better in the SEL, and in 2-3 years he will be ready to come to NA. He is still very rough in his game, and he need to learn a lot and I believe he will do that better in a strong European league than in an American junior league.
I am sorry if I sound a little rough, but I have seen too many European players going to NA before they are ready, and ruining their career. Please be patient with this player, I actually believe he has a chance to become a 2nd to 3rd line NHL player if he is given sufficient time to develop right.
Im absolutely certain he will play. Rögle wanted him, so he wasn't bought to sit warming the bench. The sportsmanager Pelle Svensson said they had tried to get him for 3 years for their hockeygymnasium. After he has been drafted they know its just a matter of time before he tries his luck in North America. To get him and not have him play right away will just be wasted money! He might be used sparingly at first given his age, but he will se icetime if he avoids injuries.
The Swedes have done a great job developing players lately. I think it's a great move or him going into the SEL. Let him develop until he's 21-23, then hopeully we'll have a player on our hands...
The Swedes have done a great job developing players lately. I think it's a great move or him going into the SEL. Let him develop until he's 21-23, then hopeully we'll have a player on our hands...
Exactly. The swedes have done wonders for us, and in my opinion I loved the pick and think he could turn out to be a steal as a great 3rd to 4th line player.
Of course everyone thinks their late round picks are steals, but I think this guy could turn out to be something special.
I don't think he will ever be a 4th liner. I doubt he comes over for that type of money and his style of play will most likely not suit what would be expected from the 4th, or even some 3rd liners.
I don't think he will ever be a 4th liner. I doubt he comes over for that type of money and his style of play will most likely not suit what would be expected from the 4th, or even some 3rd liners.
Yeah very valid point. I guess my heart is telling me that everyone of these picks are going to work out even though my head knows they won't.
I don't think he will ever be a 4th liner. I doubt he comes over for that type of money and his style of play will most likely not suit what would be expected from the 4th, or even some 3rd liners.
I agree. With his playing style and his good shot, he will right now probably be more of an possible 2nd liner or nothing, unless the swedish defensive discipline can change him into a skilled two-way forward (as they have done with so many danish players that play or have played 3'rd lines in NHL because of that training). But he is not in any way a 4'th line type.
I think that all we can do is give him time to develop and hope he turns it on like Fasth (Fast now) did when he started playing in the SEL. The good news is that the last time the Rangers traded for a late round pick to choose a Euro it was Fasth and he turned out alright.
I think that all we can do is give him time to develop and hope he turns it on like Fasth (Fast now) did when he started playing in the SEL. The good news is that the last time the Rangers traded for a late round pick to choose a Euro it was Fasth and he turned out alright.
Since SEL is a very good league it will certainly be a measurement of how far he can go. and what kind of player he turns into when he matures! He certainly will learn a lot of defensive skills since SEL was fairly lowscoring last season (also stacked with lots of promising goalies). The Danish league is not exactly known for its quality defence (not so surprising when you have many teenage defenders), but it makes it great for offensive players to good lots of shots in matches and get confidence!
My take form just seing the few clips of him is that he will play for sure if he does alright so to speak (read not piss his coach off or whatever). With very little information, I would bet that he is closer to playing a lot and doing really well than not playing much.
My take form just seing the few clips of him is that he will play for sure if he does alright so to speak (read not piss his coach off or whatever). With very little information, I would bet that he is closer to playing a lot and doing really well than not playing much.
Sadly something like this seem to have happened?! To Spelling's frustration he has only played 2 matches as a 4'th liner in SEL and has spend most of his time on the Røgle U20 team instead. His plea for being send on loan to an Allsvenskan (league under SEL) club was denied as well.
According to Spelling: "It is as if the coach doesn’t believe in me, and I never really get any feedback other than being told that “things are going in the right direction”. But he never really speaks to me, unless I come to him first".
Røgle has loaned out 2 other forwards, so he is "promised to play more in the future, maybe after new year" according to danish news (12/11) - but it really seems like an impossible situation for a player. Being headhunted by a club and then left hanging on the sideline, being refused to be loaned out while other players in the club are!
At least his production on Røgle U20 is good:
8G 12A in 17 games. (that's 6-12 on the ranking in SuperElit).
