Helenius enters 2024 Draft eyeing jump to NHL

Former NHL ahead Olli Jokinen, who coached Helenius the previous two seasons, believes that sort of leap is feasible due to the drive and willpower he confirmed.

“I actually assume that he’ll have an awesome alternative to crack an NHL lineup subsequent yr as a result of he’ll be a helpful participant,” Jokinen stated. “He can play down the lineup as properly. In that approach he is a particular child. Clearly his strengths are with the puck and bringing the offense and all that, however typically whenever you go within the new degree, it’s good to be good with out the puck, and particularly within the NHL degree not essentially turn out to be a scorer instantly within the first yr.

“Our large focus this yr was getting higher within the face-offs, getting higher understanding that taking part in strong protection and taking part in for the staff and being on the ice within the essential conditions, that coaches belief you. That was an enormous studying factor for him this yr, and he took an enormous step ahead.”

Jokinen particularly was impressed by the sting that Helenius confirmed regardless of his measurement (5-foot-11, 189 kilos).

“He is actually poised with the puck so clearly he can play quick, however on the identical time he can sluggish the sport down,” Jokinen stated. “So his hockey sense is off the chart. Clearly his compete degree is the place it must be and in addition that is one of many strengths for him, that he loves the competitors. He likes to observe, he likes to battle and he likes to get his nostril soiled.

“He is very robust together with his skates and clearly the edgework and small turns with the cutbacks and stuff like that, he can actually function in small areas and tight areas. The compete degree and all that, he is not afraid of going into these small areas.”

Helenius is No. 3 in NHL Central Scouting’s ultimate rating of Worldwide skaters for the 2024 Higher Deck NHL Draft.

“Konsta is a really versatile participant, which makes him what he’s as we speak,” stated Jukka-Pekka Vuorinen, NHL director of European Scouting. “He’s not essentially doing YouTube highlights, however he retains his staff on the suitable path. He’s a frontrunner contained in the staff and has an awesome persona.

“Konsta’s hockey IQ is his better part in my thoughts as he is ready to consistently do small performs the place he helps his teammates to get higher possibilities to attain.”