Prospect Info: #73 OA - Defenseman Vili Saarijarvi, USHL (Signed to ELC, Post 136)

[Heaton]

NHL.com has him listed as a 5'9'' 163lb defenseman from Finland.

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[Brandel*]

I know nothing about this guy, anyone seen him play?

 

[The Geelee]

Listed at 5'10, 163

 

[Debrincat93]

says righty, that's a plus

 

[Frk It]

Ok, I know ChadS likes this guy, and I respect his opinion.

But I do not like this pick in the 3rd round with the picks left, this guy is tiny. He needs to grow to at least a little for me to like this one.

 

[JJTT]

Poor mans Rafalski. Right handed offensive defenseman who skates extremely well and has active stick on defense. Really good on holding the blueline and getting shots to the net.

 

[Shaman464]

To sum up the collective reaction to this pick:

"Who?"

In 5 years "Of course we knew he would be great"

I hope.

 

[Hugh Mongusbig]

Don't we already have enough Almqvists and Hicketts type (small) D-men in the system?

 

[DanZ]

Has some pretty good offensive stats for a d-man in the World Juniors

 

[Heaton]

http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=122954

 

[Heaton]

http://www.hockeysfuture.com/articl...8-world-championship-vili-saarijarvi-finland/

 

[Sami]

No idea who this guy is.

 

[Hzzz]

2014-2015
U18 WJC All-Star Team
U18 WJC Best Defenseman
U18 WJC Most Assists by Defenseman (6)
U18 WJC Most Goals by Defenseman (3)
U18 WJC Most Points by Defenseman (9)
U18 WJC Silver Medal
U18 WJC Top 3 Player on Team
USHL All-Rookie Second Team

Had a decent season.

 

[Brandel*]

 

[Unfriendly Ghost]

Supposed to have crazy skill, I think.

 

[gretskidoo]

If only there was another number in that draft position.

 

[Filppula]

We keep drafting these small defenceman. And they never work out. And yet we KEEP DOING IT.

 

[zecke26]

excellent pick. very impressive U18 WC. unlike our other tiny Ds he had the tools to make the big league and be an impact player.

 

[last_sd]

Supposed to have crazy skill, I think.

He better. At 5'9'' you have to be excellent at every thing to make it as NHL D.

 

[Frk It]

But just because I'm talking about size doesn't mean we wouldn't draft a 5-9 defenseman if we think he can have some impact down the road."

Tyler Wright said this yesterday. Talk about foreshadowing lol. Ya think they had this guy targeted?

 

[ChadS]

Tyler Wright said this yesterday. Talk about foreshadowing lol. Ya think they had this guy targeted?

I think so. He might have been available later on too, wasn't even ranked by CS among North Americans.

He's kind of similar to ANA's Sami Vatanen, same size when drafted too.

 

[StormSurge9]

I think so. He might have been available later on too, wasn't even ranked by CS among North Americans.

He's kind of similar to ANA's Sami Vatanen, same size when drafted too.

Well according to his eliteprospects page, ISS had him at #62. Let's hope that's more of an indicator as to how good he can be.

 

[Frk It]

I think so. He might have been available later on too, wasn't even ranked by CS among North Americans.

He's kind of similar to ANA's Sami Vatanen, same size when drafted too.

This was a guy on your list, right? What are your thoughts on him?

 

[CerealKiller]

Not gonna judge this pick for a few years or so

 

[GBFP]

Any CHL team have his rights? Or will he be available in the upcoming CHL import draft?