By Randall Ritchey (THG_Ritchey)
Jani Hakanpaa at the St. Louis Blues Training Camp – Image courtesy of TSNPhotography
When the St. Louis Blues selected Jani Hakanpaa in the fourth round (104th overall), in the 2010 NHL entry draft, not much was known about the big defender from Finland. Three seasons later, Hakanpaa is looking to make a name for himself as one of the Blues top defensive prospects.
Hakanpa, 21, is a native of Kirkkonummi, Finland. The 6-foot-6-inch defensemen started playing professional hockey at the age of 17 with the Espoo Blues in the SM-liiga, or better known as the Finnish Elite League. He has suited up with the Finnish World Junior team twice, and acted as team captain of team Finland in the 2011-12 World Junior Hockey tournament.
Hakanpaa crossed the pond this past season after his season with the Espoo Blues ended. He played in 14 games with the Blues top minor league affiliate, the Peoria Rivermen, of the American Hockey League. In those 14 games, Hakanpaa tallied a goal and three assists. After the Rivermen’s season ended, Hakanpaa was recalled by the Blues to practice with the NHL club as a member of the black aces, a group of select prospects designated to help with practices during the playoffs.
With the 2013-14 season starting this week, Hakanpaa is back in North America and is looking to make an impact with the Blues new AHL affiliate, the Chicago Wolves.
“The game here is a lot faster.” Hakanpaa said, describing the difference between hockey in Finland and hockey in North America. “The game is more simplistic. With the smaller rink, the decisions have to be quicker, so there isn’t as much time to have the puck on your stick. You have to make quick, simple plays to move the puck up the ice.”
Making the NHL is Hakanpaa’s main goal, but he acknowledges that the Blues have a strong defensive core, “I’m going to do my best and see what happens this year. We have a really good defense here in St. Louis, probably the best in the league. I just have to do my best and play my game, we’ll see how the season goes from there.”
Hakanpaa will start the year with the Chicago Wolves, and he knows what he needs to work on to make it to the NHL. “I am an all-around defensemen. I need to work on many different areas of my game. Small things like adjusting to the speed of the game and the skill level of the players here. Little things like that are the things I need to work on.”
Hakanpaa will have plenty of time to work on those things with the Wolves this season, and he’ll also be able to build on the strengths of his game. “I am a pretty big guy, so my reach really helps me, especially on the smaller rinks. I’m a good skater for my size and that helps me in the defensive zone. I like hitting people,” Hakanpaa admitted with a smile, “but I don’t want to try to make a big hit and then end up out of position. I have to play smart.”
Like most prospects in the league, Hakanpaa also idolized a former NHLer. That said, the styles are quite different. “I liked watched Brian Rafalski in New Jersey. He was a right-handed shot and i really liked the way he could handle the puck. He was probably the first player I tried to play like.” If Hakanpaa can play like Rafalski, he’ll have an advantage Brian never had, considering he stands about a foot taller than Rafalski does.
Hakanpaa is one of the Blues top prospects on the blueline, joining players like Jordan Schmaltz (University of North Dakota), Tommy Vanneli (Medicine Hat Tigers), Cade Fairchild (Chicago Wolves), and Joel Edmundson (Chicago Wolves). Out of these defensemen, Hakanpaa is likely the most NHL ready. If an injury occurs to one of the Blues defensemen this season, Hakanpaa is likely one of the first call up options.
Some believe Hakanpaa will be ready for a full-time NHL position as early as next season, but his development this season will play a big role in that. If he has a successful season this year, he could force himself on the Blues roster next season, but only time will tell. For now, Hakanpaa will be logging big minutes for the Wolves this season, focusing on improving his all-around game, and showing the Blues brass that he has what it takes to make it in the National Hockey League.
The post St. Louis Blues Prospect Jani Hakanpaa Adjusting To North American Game appeared first on The Hockey Guys.
