Jerome Flaake

History

2007-08: Flaake took the DNL, Germany’s top junior league, by storm this season, finishing as the top scorer with 80 points in only 36 games. He also managed another six points in four playoff games. His 2007-08 season ended up being quite a long one, as he put in time playing for both the U18 and U20 national teams as well as a 30-game introduction to the DEL, Germany’s top men’s professional league. In his time there, he was exposed to life as a professional hockey player, surely profiting from the experience of playing and practicing alongside ex-NHLers such as Ivan Ciernik and Dave McLlwain.

2008-09: Playing in 43 games with Cologne of the DEL, Flaake would take his game the level many expected when he was drafted, this time scoring five goals and 11 assists. He would also appear with Germany in the World Junior Tournament, with three goals and two assists in 6 games.

2009-10: Hoping to take another step, Flaake would come back with a three goal, 9 point season for Cologne in his third season. He would again play for Germany at the World Juniors, scoring four goals in five games and winning the World Juniors (D1|A) Best Forward and the (D1|A) Gold Medal.

Talent Analysis

According to Cologne general manager Rodion Pauels, Flaake's strengths lie in his skating abilities, intelligence on the ice as well as his nose for the net. U18 head coach Jim Setters takes this assessment of this particular asset even further, stating that Flaake "has a very good sense around the net. In any league he has played he collects a lot of points. He very rarely misses the net when he shoots. He has great stickhandling skills."

Future

As with many young players at his age, any path to the NHL will have to be accompanied by a significant gain in strength and weight.