C Mikael Hakkarainen, Providence Friars - 139th overall 2018

[Teemu]

Ranked #285 by FUTURE CONSIDERATIONS
Ranked #179 by NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING (NA Skaters)
2016 NHL Entry Draft: Ranked #194 by NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING (NA Skaters)

Hakkarainen proved in a short amount of time, to be an elite player on and off the ice. He is very fast, quick with the puck and has laser aim when shooting. He has a strong forecheck and is an able defender when necessary. Hakkarainen overcame a couple concussions this season and still to average more than a point a night while healthy. He also skated on the top line with Anthony Del Gaizo. Mikael had more than 10 multi-point games during the regular season. Hakk’s biggest improvement was his overall recovery ability. Suffering from several weeks of recovery due to concussions, Hakk did not miss a beat and firmly planted himself as a primary skater for the Jacks. He worked hard on and off the ice to regain health and stamina which has earned him accolades from many of his coaches and teammates. -- Rachel Anderson

Click to read more...

 

[hawksfan50]

Another 6'0 giant! This guy is 20 years old ...Will play at Providence College this season as a freshman.

 

[pvr]

Hawks need centers of all ages in the pipeline. Preferably with size, speed, and skill. I’m not asking for much, I know.

 

[Putt Pirate]

Asking a lot of you are asking for size though.....

 

[Quethas]

I took a look of him earlier this year
Mikael Hakkarainen | FinnProspects.com

The 20-year-old forward has been one of the most productive players in the league collecting 30 points in 22 games. He got two assists against Sioux City Musketeers. The latter assist was especially impressive as his assist created a breakaway in a short-handed play.

Hakkarainen was extremely solid in this game. He was a constant threat playing really quick and effective passing game creating many scoring opportunities and having some himself. He read the play extremely well being in the right place at the right time. The forward is a good stick-handler but he doesn’t make unnecessary dangles. His speed, agility and acceleration were impressive for this level of play. Even though he didn’t show much grit, he seemed physically more mature than most of the other players. He took care of his defensive responsibilities well too.

Hakkarainen is one of the oldest players in his team and at the moment he looks dominant in a junior league. He will play in Providence College next season and it will be interesting to see how he plays against the better competition.

 

[Dux917]

He had to sit out a bunch of games this season with a concussion - but when he came back, he put up some serious points (almost a point a game) against real good competition in the USHL Will play at a top college program next year at Providence College - they have been to 5 straight NCAA tournaments, and have been cranking out NHL'ers lately. He'll only get better....

 

[No Fun Shogun]

Falls into the category of last names that I dig, so I'll be rooting for him.

 

[Dux917]

FYI, he left Providence College after only one game - to go back to his old team Muskegon in the USHL. School is disappointed, as it came out of the blue. He told the coach he just didn't want to play hockey and go to school at the same time.

Little interesting that he went back to the USHL, as the whole point of the USHL is to put you on a path to college hockey, and as stated - he doesn't want to go to college. But at this point in the season, he doesn't have a ton of options - maybe next year he plays back in Finland or even major junior in Canada.

It's to bad, playing top-level NCAA hockey at a program like Providence really would have helped his development. We'll see what his next steps are.

 

[Artorius Horus T]

FYI, he left Providence College after only one game - to go back to his old team Muskegon in the USHL. School is disappointed, as it came out of the blue. He told the coach he just didn't want to play hockey and go to school at the same time.

Little interesting that he went back to the USHL, as the whole point of the USHL is to put you on a path to college hockey, and as stated - he doesn't want to go to college. But at this point in the season, he doesn't have a ton of options - maybe next year he plays back in Finland or even major junior in Canada.

It's to bad, playing top-level NCAA hockey at a program like Providence really would have helped his development. We'll see what his next steps are.

Too old to play Major Junior Hockey next season.

 

[Artorius Horus T]

Has been superb this season, has one of the highest ppg in the USHL.
8 goals 15 assists in just 14 games.

Though...he turns 21 next January, so he is older than most??.

 

[hawksfan50]

He was not in the Muskegon lineup last night. (FRIDAY DEC.7th)..sick.? ..injured? Anyone know why? I hope not a concussion recurrence..

 

[Blue Liner]

Has been superb this season, has one of the highest ppg in the USHL.
8 goals 15 assists in just 14 games.

Though...he turns 21 next January, so he is older than most??.

Yes, always be cautious with overager points in any junior league.