C/W Ville Koivunen - Kärpät, FIN (2021, 51st, CAR, traded to PIT)

[Mikey09]

Ville Koivunen at eliteprospects.com
Looks like killing it in Fin Jrs and cant see any talk about him yet.

Does anyone seen him play? If so, is he really looking that good as his stast?

Click to read more...

 

[Steve Kournianos]

Ville Koivunen at eliteprospects.com
Looks like killing it in Fin Jrs and cant see any talk about him yet.

Does anyone seen him play? If so, is he really looking that good as his stast?

Yes he is as good as his stats. 200-foot left winger and top liner. Excellent awareness and effort. Speed is average but balance and agility compensate for it. Perfect compliment to a speedster like Tuomaala.

 

[Mikey09]

So far so good based on WJC stats, im starting to be quite a fan of him heading to draft, 4+5 in 5 games, 2nd in points just behind Salminen, can be a huuuge steal at 2nd/3rd round!

Im just curios as he didnt play even one single pro hockey yet, is there any particular reason for it like commiting to NCAA?

 

[thethinglonger]

Some footage from a game in March:

 

[ijuka]

So far so good based on WJC stats, im starting to be quite a fan of him heading to draft, 4+5 in 5 games, 2nd in points just behind Salminen, can be a huuuge steal at 2nd/3rd round!

Im just curios as he didnt play even one single pro hockey yet, is there any particular reason for it like commiting to NCAA?

Are you familiar with something such as the COVID pandemic going on, quarantine rules and so on? Most teams don't bounce players between u-20s and Liiga teams(I think TPS had some special circumstances? IIRC).

 

[Mikey09]

Are you familiar with something such as the COVID pandemic going on, quarantine rules and so on? Most teams don't bounce players between u-20s and Liiga teams(I think TPS had some special circumstances? IIRC).

Interesting, can you please tell me more about it?

 

[Pardus]

Im just curios as he didnt play even one single pro hockey yet, is there any particular reason for it like commiting to NCAA?

The reason is Kärpät. We have so many talents every year that even all the best don't get a shot in Liiga.

 

[Mikey09]

The reason is Kärpät. We have so many talents every year that even all the best don't get a shot in Liiga.

Are there any news for a coming season? Going to play at least in Mestis is a must, he is already level above in juniors

 

[Pardus]

Are there any news for a coming season? Going to play at least in Mestis is a must, he is already level above in juniors

Haven't seen any news yet. If he goes early in draft, maybe he will play in North America next season.

If he makes a contract with Kärpät, he will get a shot in next autumn's exhibition games but will most likely play Mestis in Kokkolan Hermes. Juniors are out of question.

 

[JoshTessler]

Took an in-depth look at Koivunen in my newest report for Smaht Scouting.

 

[LastWordArmy]

Finland has produced a number of strong prospects for this year’s NHL Draft. Playing in the Karpat system, versatile winger Ville Koivunen continues that run. He played in the Finnish Under-20 league this past season and was a dominant offensive force. Koivunen had 23 goals and 26 assists for 49 points in 38 games in the COVID interrupted season. He was named the league’s Rookie of the Year as well as taking a spot on the Second All-Star Team. He also picked up four assists in five playoff games. Koivunen impressed while playing for Finland at the IIHF Under-18 World Championships. He put up four goals and six assists for 10 points in seven tournament games.

In 2019-20 Koivunen dominated the Finnish Under-18 league. He scored 27 goals and 71 points in 37 games. Koivunen led the league in both goals and points. He was named League MVP as well as winning the award for Best Forward. Koivunen was also awarded a spot on the league’s First All-Star Team. He also played at the Under-17 World Hockey Challenge. Koivunen picked up just two assists in five games. He is expected to play for Karpat in the Liiga next year.

2021 NHL Draft #70: Ville Koivunen Scouting Report

 

[rocketdan9]

Ville Koivunen at eliteprospects.com
Looks like killing it in Fin Jrs and cant see any talk about him yet.

Does anyone seen him play? If so, is he really looking that good as his stast?

This dude and Pastujov are not fast skaters

But high level offensive instincts/stickhandling

 

[mattihp]

The reason is Kärpät. We have so many talents every year that even all the best don't get a shot in Liiga.

Yeah. The Rätys should have bolted for another team too. Many prospects love the Kärpät support system with very competent coaches throughout all of the teams though. But some of these prospects will look elsewhere if they can't get playing time.

 

[JJTT]

Yeah. The Rätys should have bolted for another team too. Many prospects love the Kärpät support system with very competent coaches throughout all of the teams though. But some of these prospects will look elsewhere if they can't get playing time.

At least they got rid of useless forwards like Sailio, Karvinen, Jokinen, Kristof and Metsävainio.

Mikkola coming in for Manner as coach should help the prospects get more icetime as well. Seems like he actually played the best players in the the games he coached last year, not the players with the biggest paycheck like Manner did.

Leijonat - Kaksi joukkueellista Nuoria Leijonia leireilee Vierumäellä heinäkuussa – Nämä U20- ja U19-pelaajat kutsuttiin mukaan

From the current U20 national team 11/28 are former or current Kärpät players, they are already losing ton of players to other teams, I don't see why all the top guys should leave as well.

 

[mattihp]

At least they got rid of useless forwatds like Sailio, Karvinen, Jokinen, Kristof and Metsävainio.

Mikkola coming in for Manner as coach should help the prospects get more icetime as well. Seems like he actually played the best players in the the games he coached last year, not the players with the biggest paycheck like Manner did.

Leijonat - Kaksi joukkueellista Nuoria Leijonia leireilee Vierumäellä heinäkuussa – Nämä U20- ja U19-pelaajat kutsuttiin mukaan

From the current U20 national team 11/28 are former or current Kärpät players, they are already losing ton of players to other teams, I don't see why all the top guys should leave as well.

Yeah, player selections have been very predictable with Manner. Hopefully Mikkola will bring some new blood there.

 

[mattihp]

I wonder who will get this gem in the second round!

 

[MMC]

Welcome to Carolina

 

[BusQuets]

Very good pick. Best Finn in the draft. Thought he would have risen to 1st round.

 

[FrankGallagher]

Bet on guys with hockey sense like this who compete. Love the pick

 

[MatthewFlames]

Carolina know and love their Finnish players. Perfect spot

 

[karhukissa]

Carolina has a good track record with 2nd round picks playing for Kärpät

 

[Kaako Kappo]

Carolina has a good track record with 2nd round picks playing for Kärpät

Yeah uh like... one player that has turned out to be an NHL regular?

 

[karhukissa]

Yeah uh like... one player that has turned out to be an NHL regular?

Pretty modest way to talk about Sebastian Aho. Kuokkanen isn't bad player either, although he plays for NJD now. Quality over quantity!

 

[rocketdan9]

Very good pick. Best Finn in the draft. Thought he would have risen to 1st round.

I thought it was Tuomaala by a hair. Especially due to skating

 

[Kaako Kappo]

e: eh who cares