He is 17 years old and before an injury suffered on November 2, he was at the top of the scorers and scorers of the Liiga, the Finnish elite league, with 18 points, including 12 goals, in 16 games.
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We repeat: he is 17 years old.
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the world of Joakim Kemell, a Finnish right-winger from JYP Jyväskylä who is increasingly attracting the attention of National Hockey League recruiters.
In fact, it’s more than that. Whereas it was believed impossible a few months ago, several important players in NHL recruiting are now seeing Kemell heat up none other than Shane Wright as a potential first choice in the 2022 auction total.
“He could go out in front of Wright, yes”, launches without restraining the scout of a formation of the West in interview with TVASports.ca.
The recruiter of a leading club in the Central division agrees.
“Right now, for sure, if I’m at a table with my bosses and asked for my opinion on the first pick, I would have several arguments to defend Kemell and I’m sure there would be a debate. ”
Statements that demonstrate just how sensational and highly regarded Kemell’s outfit is across the Bettman Tour.
But when you look at what the skater is on the way to accomplishing, you have to admit that it’s not surprising that they’re making their eyes widen so much.
A performance that “flirts” with history
Currently playing for the Nashville Predators, Mikael Granlund is the one with the most points in the Liiga for a 17-year-old.
In 2009-2010, he collected 40 points in 43 games. We’re talking about an average of 0.93 points per game.
Kemell, before his injury, was riding a pace of 1.12 points per game. In other words, his performance was the best in circuit history for an underage skater. It’s big. Very big.
Since his return to play, however, the Finn has been shut out in five consecutive games. He is now at 18 points in 21 games, which is still far from bad, let’s be frank.
Moreover, Kemell is still in third place among the goal scorers in La Liiga despite his long absence … even having played 10 games less than some of his rivals. That says a lot about the importance of the lead he had created before he fell in battle.
As part of the present case, the young man, very generous, opened on this season 2021-2022, season which represents the most important of his young career so far.
“All summer long, I thought about the impact I wanted to have in this league. It was important for me to look good in this defining year. I was motivated to wreak havoc. Yes, I’m a little surprised at the number of points collected so far, but I’m a confident guy and I don’t plan on stopping there. I still have a lot to offer. ”
Jiri Halttunen – Courtesy
With the help of a translator who helps him understand the author’s questions, the attacker, despite a limited understanding of English, demonstrates a very high level of confidence. We can feel it strongly mentally and we understand a little better the reason for his success on the ice.
“I look a lot like Alex Ovechkin”
As soon as he steps on the ice, Joakim Kemell turns heads.
A dynamic skater, he is constantly on the move. He looks for openings and opportunities to score. He wants to cause trouble for the opponent every time he is present and is downright obsessed with it.
“I’m an explosive skater with a heavy, precise throw. I have a very big appetite in the offensive zone! I also consider myself a smart hockey player. I know how to recognize different situations and adapt to them. I like to play on 200 feet and I enjoy getting involved all over the place. ”
The NHL recruiters contacted about him abound in exactly the same direction.
“What emerges especially in the case of Joakim, it is his competitive side, launches one of them. He is extremely talented, but he also works like an ox. He never gives up. When he’s involved in a fight, you know he’s going to come out of there with the puck. He’s a very interesting guy for a team, because in addition to being disturbing because of his skills, he also causes chaos in the opposing zone with his dynamism. He likes to get in touch and beat his opponents. Of course, he’s also an elite scorer. ”
“What this guy is doing in La Liiga is amazing. He is a player who plays with a lot of confidence. His hands and feet are always moving. He is very agile and dynamic. Managing to cover it is far from obvious. ”
And when Kemell is asked which NHL player he compares his style of play to, he’s not afraid to name one of the best players of his generation.
“I look a lot like Alex Ovechkin, he says with all the seriousness in the world. We have the same type of approach. I like to score goals and create things on offense, but when I get the chance to apply a good hitting, I don’t mind either.
“In the NHL, I really want to establish myself as a top forward who will put points on the board on a regular basis. I want to be a fixture on the power play. ”
According to the scouts, Kemell does not have to worry about his future. Its objectives are, it seems, perfectly legitimate.
“He will be a first line player in the NHL and score a lot of goals,” said a well-established National League scout without hesitation.
At 5’11 ” and 160 pounds, however, it should be mentioned that Kemell is conceding a few (!) Pounds and inches to Ovechkin. But these are just numbers, after all!
Still, he recognizes that he would like to add muscle to his frame before the selection session.
“I want to improve my physical strength and gain a little weight. This would be the aspect I was working on as a priority for next season. It will make me even more dangerous. ”
In front of Shane Wright?
For many experts, Canadian Shane Wright has long been considered the player who should come out on top of the 2022 auction.
But as we said above, nothing is set in stone and that’s good, because Kemell has a strong opinion on the issue.
“Shane Wright? I know him because I have faced him a few times. But I rather believe that it should be me, the first one called. My skills are obvious. Obviously, it would be incredible to be number 1. “
The scout of a Western team takes the ball and adds a layer.
“Wright first, it’s far from certain. Kemell forces everyone around him to go above and beyond. This is not the case with Wright, whose desire to compete I question a lot. “
Jiri Halttunen – Courtesy
The recruiter of another training, however, brings a downside.
“At the same time, the same was said of Quinton Byfield the year Lafrenière was finally the first choice. If Wright finishes the Junior World Championship with 15 points, he will solidify his candidacy. Unless Kemell does the same … “
In the meantime, if the teenager displays a concrete confidence, he humbly admits to being a little nervous when he thinks of this decisive year. Nothing more normal, after all.
“Yes, everything that surrounds this season is a little stressful for me, concedes Kemell, who would have aimed for a career as an architect if he had not been so good at hockey. When I feel that my head starts to think too intensely, I try to occupy myself and that helps me a lot. I like to golf and draw. It allows me to get away from everything hockey related. “
A favorite team
Obviously, prospects never choose which NHL club they land on.
But it is interesting to know where they would like to evolve if they could decide their own destiny.
The question was put to Joakim Kemell.
“The Florida Panthers would be my choice. Firstly, because I would make a dream come true by playing alongside Alexander Barkov, but also because the city and the weather must be incredible to live in, on a daily basis. “
Unfortunately for the young man, the Florida training is likely to fish very late next June. And as we now know, it would be extremely surprising to see Kemell slip out of the top 10.
He will therefore have to resolve to put on another uniform.
And why not that of Canadians?
Joakim kemell
- Team: JyP HT Jyvaskyla (Liiga)
- Height: 5 feet 10 inches
- Weight: 160 pounds
- 2021-2022 statistics: 12 goals, 6 assists – 18 points in 21 games