Player's Profile
Picture Courtesy of Holly Gunning
- Name: Rasmus Rissanen
- Position: D
- Shoots: Left
- Height: 6-2
- Weight: 202 lbs
- Birthdate: 1991-07-13
- Eligible for Draft: 2009
- Drafted: 2009
- Hometown: Kuopio, Finland
- Acquired: 6th Round (178th overall), 2009
- Playing In: CHL
Rasmus Rissanen
Prospect Grade: 6.0 D (About Prospect Grades)
Profile Contributed By: HF Staff
History
2007-08: Appeared in five games for KalPa at A juniors and represented Finland at the WJC U-18 tournament. In six games with Team Finland, he had 2 assists with 18 PIM.
2008-09: In a season split between his duties with KalPa’s A junior squad and Finland’s U-18 team, Rissanen established himself as one of the more physical young defensemen in Finland. Rissanen and KalPa teammate Ville Hyvarinen brought size and strength to a mostly undersized yet highly talented defense corps for the squad that upset Canada in the Bronze medal game at the U-18 World Championship tournament. In 29 games with KalPa, he scored 1 goal with 8 assists and racked up 56 PIM. Was scoreless in 6 games with Team Finland but his toughness caught the attention of CHL scouts. He was selected by the Everett Silvertips in the First Round (17th overall) of the CHL Import Draft.
2009-10: Left Finland to play in the WHL and enjoyed a solid first season with Everett, a team that allowed the fewest goals in the WHL (175) during the regular season. He scored 4 goals, all on the power play, with 11 assists and was +18 in 71 regular season games while accumulating 103 PIM. Appeared in all seven games of Everett's first round playoff loss to Kelowna, recording 1 assist with 8 PIM and finishing -4.
2010-11 - Rissanen made his pro debut with Charlotte (AHL) after completing his second season in the WHL with Everett. Rissanen was +1 with three shots on goal in his only appearance for Charlotte and was with the team during their playoff run but did not see any action. In 68 games with Everett, Rissanen led the Silvertips with 89 PMs and was -17 while scoring 1 goal with 11 assists. He scored a pair of goals, one on the power play, and was -4 with 8 PMs in the Silvertips' four-game playoff loss to Portland before joining the Checkers. Rissanen also represented Finland in the 2011 World Junior U-20 championship. He was scoreless and +1 with 14 PMs in six games at the tournament.
Talent Analysis
Rissanen is not as flashy or skilled as some of the young Finnish defensemen but has the size that many of them lack. Sometimes undisciplined, he plays with emotion and effort and doesn’t back down from anyone. He has a strong shot. Though he is more of a stay-home defender, Rissanen is capable of making a quick outlet pass and also solid as a point man on the power play. He must improve his mobility and foot speed but his size and strength are attributes that make him a legitimate prospect. While a punishing defender first, he can provide support to the offensive attack with sharp passes and hockey sense.
Future
While not as highly regarded in his native Finland as fellow Hurricane prospect Tommi Kivisto, Rissanen may be better suited to North American hockey with his strength and physical play. Will attend Carolina's camp before returning to Everett. Long-term, he projects to being a solid stay at home defender capable of playing lower pairing minutes or possibly playing at the AHL level. He is young enough to develop into something more than that, but at this point is fairly low on the depth chart of Carolina defenseman prospects.
Stats
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Profile Last Updated: October, 12th 2011
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