• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Subscribe
  • Log In

Recrutes

Recrutes: Hockey scouting from a professional perspective from Grant McCagg and Habs coverage from a 33 year veteran covering the NHL from Brian Wilde.

  • Home
  • Habs Content
  • Rocket Content
  • Draft
    • 2023 NHL Draft Rankings
    • 2022 Recrutes NHL Draft Guide
    • Recrutes’ First Round NHL Draft Study
    • Draft News
    • Past Draft Guides
  • News & Notes
  • Video
  • Archives

Prospect Report: Joni Ikonen

September 12, 2017

By Miika Arponen

Joni Ikonen started the game against defending champion Tappara as KalPa’s first line center. He played also on the 2nd power-play unit.

During the game Ikonen fell down a bit in the lineup and ended up getting 12:27 of ice time. He didn’t get on the scoresheet, as KalPa was shut out.

In the first two periods Ikonen was KalPa’s most dangerous forward along with Frank Gymer. He showed soft hands and creative thinking in the offensive zone with great confidence.

He also backchecked effectively and forced a couple of turnovers. On the flip side, his over-confidence in the neutral zone resulted in a few turnovers going the other way as well.

KalPa’s head coach Sami Kapanen commented on Ikonen after the game:

The offensive game is his biggest strength. He has very good instincts when it comes to offensive game. He is a good volume shooter and is used to scoring goals.

His most important development goal right now is to identify when to play with the puck and when to give it away. There is a big difference in the game flow between the juniors and pros.

Joni has been good in defensive game as well. It hasn’t been his heel of Achilles at all. Sometimes he plays there with too much confidence, but we’ve been able to reduce it constantly.

When an 18-year-old player can play with two 400 pro game veterans, it’s a great spot to develop.

About Miika Arponen

View all posts by Miika Arponen

  • Daniel Lamontagne says

    September 12, 2017 at 5:45 pm

    can’t wait to see him play with the habs…..great pick!!!!

  • Terry Fisher says

    September 12, 2017 at 7:42 pm

    Think Lehkonen as a centre in 3 years with this kid. If Drouin pans out in the middle and Poehling continues to develop, centre will be a strength for the first time in 20 years.

    • Brian Wilde says

      September 14, 2017 at 3:23 pm

      Ikonen is also a center and had a tremendous summer showcase.

  • Primary Sidebar

    Recent Articles

    Aaron Pionk – 2023 NHL Draft Sleeper

    Heineman Has Earned a Callup

    Rasmus Ekstrom – Late Bloomer?

    Michael Hrabal vs. Fargo March 4

    Brindley Leads Michigan to Big Ten Glory

    InStat
    Please visit our sponsor!

    2022 Draft Guide

    Valley Snapshots

    Click Above To Order!

    Draft Prospect Profiles

    Search our directory of 2023 NHL Draft draft prospect profiles.

    Valley Snapshots

    Valley Snapshots

    Click Above To Order!
    • Home
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us

    Copyright © 2023 · Recrutes.ca. All rights reserved