Jonas Junland
www.eliteprospects.com

Jonas Junland

Hometown:

Linkoping Sweden

Currently Playing In:

Europe

Birthday:

1987-11-15
Position:

D
Eligible for draft:

2006
Shoots:

Left
Drafted:

2006
Height:

6-2
Acquired:

3rd round (64th overall), 2006
Weight:

198 lbs.
Prospect Talent Score
7.0

About Prospect Talent Score and Probability of Success»

Probability of Success
  • C

History

2005-06: Junland had incredible development this past season, being the highest scoring defenseman in the Swedish juniors. His numbers, 40 points including 17 goals in 32 games, are quite remarkable for a defenseman. He added about 16 pounds of muscle before this past season and it had a very good affect on his play.

2006-07: Junland played most of his season with SEL finalist Linkopings. He fared well, despite his youth, and enjoyed an excellent playoff run, which saw him net five points in 15 games. He also played briefly with the junior team and in Allsvenskan league in preparation for the World Juniors, a tournament where he was one of Team Sweden’s top players.

2007-08: Junland played in a career-high 52 games for Linkopings HC (SWE) this season. The blueliner recorded three goals and 17 assists, and added another seven points (4g+3a) in 16 postseason games.

2008-09: In his first taste of North American hockey, Junland was a potent offensive defenseman for the AHL's Peoria Rivermen. He scored 13 goals, 18 assists for 31 points in 70 games, earning a spot in the AHL All-Star game. He skated in 5 playoff games with Peoria, scoring 1 assists and 6 PIMs. He also made his NHL debut with St. Louis, but did not score in 1 game.

2009-10: Junland again spent much of the season with Peoria, scoring 14 goals, 30 assists in 74 games. His 44 points led the team's defensemen and his 11 power play goals led the entire team. He played in the AHL All-Star game for the second consecutive year and got a little longer look in St. Louis, appearing in 3 NHL games and notching 2 assists.

2010-11: Junland was tendered a qualifying offer by the Blues in June 2010 but chose to sign a one-year contract with Farjestads BK in Sweden's Elitserien. He scored 5 goals with 17 assists and was +7 with 18 PMs in 41 regular season games. Farjestads finished tied with HV71 and Skelleftea atop the league standings with 96 points and won the playoff title. In 14 playoff games Junland scored 3 goals with 3 assists and was +8 with 12 PMs.
 

Talent Analysis

Junland is a good skater and has fine hands. Hockey sense is good and big strength of his is the way he gets the puck on the target. Junland has a good shot that is very accurate. Looking at the parts of his game that Junland should improve, his defensive awareness could still use some fine tuning. He could also play more determined and more physical at times. Also, sometimes Junland tends to overwork easy situations.

Future

Junland is now playing for Astana Barys in the KHL.

Interview with Jeff McKercher

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Dallas Stars prospect Jeff McKercher played with the Peterbourgh Petes of the OHL last season. During that time he had one goal, seven assists, and 22 PIMs in 65 regular season games. He also sported an impressive plus/minus rating of +32 during this same time period.

Although known for these examples of steady play and solid defense, McKercher is little known.

Please briefly describe your style of play for the readers not already familiar with you.
“I am a defensive defenseman who reads the ice well. I like to make the quick, first pass out of the defensive zone. I take pride in my work in penalty-killing situations.”

What do you feel that you could add to the Dallas defensive ranks in the future?
“I will strive to be a defensive defenseman with the Stars and hope that I will be a regular on the penalty-kill. I try to pattern myself after the play of Craig Ludwig.”

Do you see yourself ever becoming more of an offensive-minded player in the future?
“I would like to think that I might become a little bit more offensive to complement my defensive style. My skating is strong so hopefully with experience this part of my game will develop. I usually have been paired with an offensive defenseman and my job has been to stay back and hold the fort.”

What do you see as being your current strengths and weaknesses? Read more»

Tim Connolly – “Hockey’s Future”

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One great thing about watching Junior Major hockey is seeing the future stars of hockey. Ever since he was drafted by the Erie Otters in 1997, forward Tim Connolly was touted as a high draft choice in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft and being a future star of the NHL.

On June 26th at the FleetCenter in Boston, the first part of the above statement came true. The New York Islanders, who had the 5th selection overall, selected Connolly. While it is quite an achievement for a player to be selected in the first round, Tim had two other noticeable achievements with his selection by the Islanders. Tim was the first player selected from the CHL, and the OHL, and was the first North American born player selected in the draft. A native of Baldwinsville, NY, Connolly stated that, “It is a great honor to be the first North American player selected in the draft”.

Connolly has been a standout player for the Otters the past two years. Tim has dazzled Erie fans, OHL fans and OHL opponents with his superb skating and puck-handling skills. During the 97-98 year with Erie, where he won the Otters Rookie of the Year, Tim scored 30 goals and 32 assists for 62 points. During the 98-99 season, Connolly scored 34 goals and 34 assists for 68, in spite of playing 13 fewer games. In a February game against the Windsor Spitfires, Connolly suffered a broken leg, which ended his play for the remainder of the 98-99 season. In spite of this injury, Connolly still finished as the leading scorer for the Otters.
Read more»

Ice Dogs Season Review/Preview

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The Mississauga Ice Dogs innaugural season was tough one, to say the least. They finished last in the OHL with a record of 4W-61L-3T. The Ice Dogs were also dead last in goals for (145) and lead the league in goals against (426). If there was any silver lining to last season’s poor showing, it was that it enabled them to select first overall at this year’s OHL Entry Draft. This pick landed the Ice Dogs arguably the best junior hockey prospect since Eric Lindros, in the form of Jason Spezza. Under the tutelage of coach Jim Hulton, who returns for another season, look for the Ice Dogs to make some improvement over last year. Of course, when you’re at the bottom, the only way to go is up.

1999-2000 SEASON PREVIEW
OFFENSE
The Ice Dogs will be looking to junior phenom Jason Spezza to help with their offensive attack. Last season as an underager with the Brampton Battalion, Spezza had 18 goals and 44 assists in 58 games. Also expected to improve on last season’s totals is centre Lou Dickenson. The Ice Dogs 1st OHL Draft pick in 1998, 2nd overall, had a total of 19 goals and 27 assists in 62 games in 1998-1999. Overage goal production should come from captain Scott Page, who is expected to return this season. He lead the Ice Dogs scoring last year with 20 goals and 30 assists in 66 games. Other key offensive contributors are Fraser Clair (6-12-59games, Chad Wiseman (11-25-64games), and Sebastien Savage (10-15-57games).
DEFENCE Read more»

Late Round Steals?

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Most Islander fans cant even pronounce most of the Islanders late round picks this yera yet alone know much about their games. Team management is thrilled with their draft believing that they stole a few very good players and may have gotten some keepers that fell through the cracks. One of these players is right winger Juraj Kulnik. “Not many times can you get a guy this skilled in the fourth round,” said Isles scout Mario Saraceno. “He’s a goal-scorer and that’s how he will make it in the NHL.” Kolnik, who is Slovakian, notched 42 goals and 84 points in 62 games with the Rimouski Oceanic. The Slovakian sniper’s hot hand didn’t stop there as he netted nine more tallies in 11 playoff games. Not a bad rookie year. And according to Saraceno, Kolnik has his sights set on 60 next year. “He has tremendous hands,” said Saraceno. “He’s not the biggest guy in the world, but his ability to get open and avoid being checked makes up for that.” The Slovakian is fluent in English and should have no problem fitting in with the Islander locker room in the near future as countrymen Zdeno Chara and 1999 first-rounders Branislav Mezei and Kristian Kudroc will be there. Besides his goal-scoring talent, there’s a lot to like about the 5-11, 182-pound Kolnik, according to Saraceno. “He’s a hard worker and plays in traffic,” he said. “He kills penalties and has a pretty good skating stride. There’s of course some room for improvement in his overall game. The desire is there, however, and I think we got a keeper that fell through the cracks.”
Read more»

Steve Kariya Profile

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#18 – Senior, Captain
University of Maine Black Bears
C/LW
5′ – 7″, 170 lbs
North Vancouver, British Columbia

Breakdown: An exciting and explosive playmaker that has anchored UMaine’s top line for three seasons. Recorded a hat trick in JC Penney Tournament final. Scored a pair of goals in early-season win over nationally ranked New Hampshire. Named Most Valuable Player of both tournaments that UMaine has played in (1998 JC Penney Hockey Classic and 1998 Governors Cup Tournament). Named Hockey East Player of Week (November 30). First Hockey East player to ever receive the Len Ceglarski Sportsmanship Award twice. Third in the Nation in total points. Ranks eighth in the nation in points per game and seventh in assists per game. Leads UMaine with 13 multi-point games. Named games First Star four times this year. What is said about Steve Kariya? He has tremendous skill. Hes a game-breaker who keeps the other team back on their heels. If Steve Kariya isnt the best player in the league, he is one of the top two (Quote From University of Maine) What Can We Expect? Steve is a great player. Although he is not to be confused with his brother, sensation and NHL megastar, Paul Kariya, his style of hockey is similiar. He will be a key part in the Canucks organization and will likely be playing as soon as next year.
Read more»
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