Player's Profile
Picture Courtesy of www.jatkoaika.com
- Name: Teemu Laakso
- Position: D
- Shoots: Right
- Height: 6-0
- Weight: 190 lbs
- Birthdate: 1987-08-27
- Eligible for Draft: 2005
- Drafted:
- Hometown: Tuusula, Finland
- Acquired: 3rd round (#78 overall), 2005
- Playing In: Pro
Teemu Laakso
Prospect Grade: 7.0 D (About Prospect Grades)
History
2003-04: For his age, Laakso enjoyed a significant breakout. His move from the fringes of the capital city area to the large organization of IFK Helsinki coincided with becoming by far the age group's best defenseman. As the best defenseman and a winner of the 2004 Viking Cup, not to mention a point per game in the U18 WC that year, he became a top prospect in no time.
2004-05: Unfortunately he lost his offseason to injury, which set him back in the first half of 2004-05. The winter was most successful for him. First he was the youngest defenseman to play for Finland in the WJC in modern times, and after that he played a good while with IFK's battered pro team. Laakso was down on his luck again as an ankle injury sidelined him for the postseason and rendered him totally ineffective in the 2005 U18 WC.
2007-08: The season was a bit of a let down – Finland finished a disappointing sixth-place at the WJC and HIFK struggled in the SM-Liiga as well – finishing seventh. Laakso displayed his physical play at the WJC – but also may have shown a lack of discipline with 52 penalty minutes including a game misconduct. On the plus side, he had three goals and became more active in the attack.
Talent Analysis
Six feet and 190 pounds are just enough for Laakso to play the kind of physical defense he likes, although playing among professionals was tough schooling for him. On ice his frame looks similar in size to those of players who weigh well over 200 pounds and right now Laakso is far from a strong player, so he has much untapped potential in that area. He is also speedy and skates well in all directions. What he does with the puck isn't anything fancy, but his hands and hockey sense are easily good enough for an aspiring power play quarterback. He often takes very strong shots from the blueline. With nothing notable in the way of flaws in his game, the biggest question mark in Laakso's case is being somewhat injury prone.
Future
Laakso projects as a two-way defenseman. It should begin to become apparent this year whether Laakso was just a very big junior player who was ahead of others at an early age or he is someone with the ability to develop into an NHL player.
Stats
Click the link to view Teemu Laakso's statistics.
Profile Last Updated: November, 26th 2008
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