2014 Draft Eligibles: Jake Virtanen’s experience in Calgary will help him come June

Jake Virtanen (R) is a top prospect for the 2014 NHL Draft (Photo c/o Don Healy, Regina Leader-Post)

NHL top prospect Jake Virtanen knows a thing or two about the whole draft process. The Calgary Hitmen selected Virtanen number one overall in the 2011 WHL Bantam Draft. While it’s not on the same level as the NHL draft, Virtanen’s experience a few years back should help him come June.

Virtanen started playing hockey in Langley, BC until pee-wee where he moved to Abbotsford and played for the Abbotsford Hawks right through midget. It wasn’t always easy for Virtanen who endured growing pains in his first one and a half seasons in Calgary. Last season, his rookie WHL campaign, Virtanen had only 16 goals and 18 assists for 34 points in 62 games played.

One could say the pressure of being a number one draft pick got the best of him. He didn’t get off to the greatest start this season, but judging by his performance in January, he has come along way. Virtanen posted 13 goals, 20 assists in 14 games in the month of January. In all, Virtanen finished the season with 45 goals and 26 assists for 71 points in 71 games played.

His willingness to work harder for his chances, coupled with his creativeness on the ice made him a handful for opponents in the second half of the season. When he’s on his game, he’s a powerful forward who hits like a Mack truck and possesses a deadly shot.  

NHL Central Scouting lists Virtanen as their sixth best prospect in their final rankings. ISS Hockey has the left winger eighth in their rankings for the month of March. TSN’s Bob McKenzie lists him as his 10^th best prospect in his mid-season rankings.  

At 6’1, 210 pounds, Virtanen has NHL size. He can skate, and has a lethal shot. He found a way to put it all together consistently in the second half this season, and quickly became one of the more dangerous goal scorers in the entire WHL. He has an edge to his game like Milan Lucic did when he played for the Vancouver Giants. Virtanen could be that player all teams will covet come draft day.

Here is a highlight video of his assets.  

Playing in Calgary has given NHL scouts plenty of opportunities to see Virtanen. I think that exposure has help Virtanen and his draft stock considerably this season. He didn't record any points in Team Orr's 4-3 victory against Team Cherry in the BMO CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game back in January, but Virtanen did impress scouts with another aspect of the event.

He was named the top performer among 40 top ’14 draft prospects in the on-ice testing process, which is a variety of drills designed to measure players’ speed, agility and reaction time, among other things. Virtanen had the highest overall grade from the on-ice tests. His time in the 30-meter forward sprint at 3.92 seconds was first overall, as well as his time in the 30-meter backward sprint, 4.55 seconds.

To me, that shows that he's an all-around athlete and competitor. 

With the way he played down the stretch, I think his draft stock will go through the roof come June. As of right now, many have him in the top ten. Originally, I wasn’t high on him at all, but after studying his game I’m a believer in what he can do. A player with his size, speed, and skill don’t come around everyday. He’s a top ten pick no doubt.  

A franchise like Winnipeg would be wise to draft Virtanen. They have a solid young core of players already playing with the Jets in Evander Kane, Bryan Little, Mark Scheifele and Jacob Trouba. Not to mention prospects Nicolas Petan, Andrew Copp, Jordan Samuels-Thomas and Jimmy Lodge. Adding Virtanen would give Winnipeg the size they desperately need up front, plus he would be their first true elite winger.

The hockey world better get used to hearing the name Virtanen, because he’s going to wreck havoc for years to come.