LD Urho Vaakanainen (2017, 18th, BOS; traded to ANA)

[Erikfromfin]

In yesterdays Finland Norway halftime show MTV Sport specialist Tero Lehterä threw an amazing gauntlet saying this guy is the most talented finnish Defender ever coming down the pipeline. Had to google this guy and he is 14 year old and playing in Blues B-Junior team. Anyone know anything more of this guy? Lehteräs comments got me interested in the player.

Click to read more...

 

[Loffer]

The kid is said to have Lidstrom-esque read of the game. Very smart player for his age. But too early to tell how he develops going forward.

 

[JJTT]

Looks like he has grown since last season listed as 184cm now.

 

[FinProspects]

27points in 30 games in B-juniors, not too bad. Havent seen him play, but based on all comments, we might have a real gem in our hands.

Lehterä is a coach for Blues a-juniors team, so he surely knows how good this kid is.

 

[thomast]

I've seen him multiple times this year. He is very smart player with ability to rush the puck. His puckmoving ability is outstanding and his game is relied on his hockeyIQ ,he can really be physical at times too. His potential is very high at the moment but he is a 2017 draftee and anything can happen. But he is playing about PPG rate against about 3 year old players as defenseman with reliable game in the defense. He is clearly better offensively than defensively but isn't bad defensively at all.

Lehterä is very smart hockeymind and very good evaluator of talent. I would trust his words.

 

[FinnSkillz28]

Yea..he's pretty good one..good size and high skill level,very good offensively!
have played against him multiple times

 

[Tormentor]

Seems like a biased and uneducated comment from Lehterä, almost moronic. Vaakanainen has played against clearly older players for several years and hasn’t outperformed guys like Olli Juolevi (8 months older than Vaakanainen) and Juuso Välimäki (3 months older than Vaakanainen) in Jr.B this season. A generational talent would do that.

Based on what I’ve seen this season I’m not even sure whether Vaakanainen is a better prospect for the 2017 NHL Draft than Välimäki. Välimäki has had a bigger impact on his team’s game than Vaakanainen.

he can really be physical at times too.

Maybe a bit physical on a good day, but overall not a tough player to play against. More of a calm personality, not aggressive.

 

[FinProspects]

3 assist today against Kärpät. He turned 15 couple days ago btw.

 

[JJTT]

Any change Lehterä calls him up to Blues-A this season? I know they are a stacked team but B-juniors seem like a wrong place for him.

 

[bebl]

I need to see this kid! Those stats are ****ing insane.

 

[PensBandwagonerNo272*]

He's 14.

2nd post mentions Lidstrom.

le sigh

 

[Petri1981]

He's 14.

2nd post mentions Lidstrom.

le sigh

For my point of view no one said that he will be the next Lindström. Comparisons are just always there. Like Tavares, McDavid, Crosby, Lindros... all were compared to gretzky like when they were at the age of 14 also, LE SIGH TO YOU ALSO !

 

[FinPanda]

13gp 2+4 and +9 so far this season. He has been on the ice only 2 goals against at 5 on 5.

 

[Loffer]

Where is this kid going at the moment, if I may ask? Anyone?

 

[Nurmagomedov]

Where is this kid going at the moment, if I may ask? Anyone?

Playing in the Finnish U20 league. Six games in so far, 1+3, +6.

 

[Loffer]

Playing in the Finnish U20 league. Six games in so far, 1+3, +6.

Thanx.

 

[Zaddy]

11 points in 12 games as a 16 year old seems very impressive. Has anyone seen him this year and can give a scouting report?

 

[JJTT]

11 points in 12 games as a 16 year old seems very impressive. Has anyone seen him this year and can give a scouting report?

He is a good prospect but not really the wonder child of Finnish hockey he was supposed to be a few years ago. Great passing skills, good skater, hard shot, solid on the defensive end. Not really physical and can try to do too much with the puck at times.

Could still be a top15 pick next year but step below Juolevi and Välimäki at the moment.

e http://www.leijonat.fi/sarjat/nuort...uuttaa-tehoporssissa-katso-tilastokooste.html

His average icetime is 24:42 per game.

 

[f1nn]

Vaakanainen will play his first Liiga game for the Blues today.

 

[JJTT]

Vaakanainen will play his first Liiga game for the Blues today.

Also signed a 3 year contract with Blues. Though it seems he has option to leave for Canadian juniors after this year.

 

[kelsier]

Going to be painful to pick a game today.

 

[Orvelo]

Going to be painful to pick a game today.

I'm gonna watch Urho just because it is his first game so i really want to see that.

 

[Lemonn]

I will watch Hero Scalewoman's first game if there is some okay stream available!

 

[Jussi]

I'm gonna watch Urho just because it is his first game so i really want to see that.

What?

 

[Jussi]

Also signed a 3 year contract with Blues. Though it seems he has option to leave for Canadian juniors after this year.

With Blues heading into bankcruptcy, that might be a smart move.