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Player's Profile

  • Name: Juuso Puustinen
  • Position: RW
  • Shoots: Right
  • Height: 6-1
  • Weight: 185 lbs
  • Birthdate: 1988-04-05
  • Eligible for Draft: 2006
  • Drafted:
  • Hometown: Kuopio, Finland
  • Acquired: 5th round (149th overall), 2006
  • Playing In: Europe

Juuso Puustinen

Prospect Grade: 7.0 D  (About Prospect Grades)

Profile Contributed By: HF Staff

History

2005-06: The native of Kuopio, Finland, spent the year playing for Kalpa at the under 18 and 20 levels. He also won a silver medal for his country at the U-18 World Junior Hockey Championships, scoring three points in six games. Puustinen was selected 29th overall by the Kamloops Blazers in the CHL import draft, that same year the Flames selected the Finnish goal scorer in the fifth round, 149th overall.

2006-07: In his first year with the Blazers, the 6’2 winger tallied 71 points (32 G, 39 A) in 64 games, placing him fourth amongst WHL rookies. He was also an incredible +23 on the season. Despite the Blazers being swept in the first round of the playoffs, Puustinen had three assists in Kamloops’ four games.


2007-08:  Puustinen’s point production has decreased slightly for the Western conference’s 8th place Blazers. In 60 games this season, the Finnish prospect recorded 53 points (27 G, 26 A). The changes in Puustinen’s production could be attributed to some large personal changes on and off the ice in Kamloops this season.

Talent Analysis

Puustinen possesses decent size and has shown flashes of high end offensive brilliance. His time in the WHL has made him a reliable two way player, but he must improve the physical parts of his game as well as becoming a more consistent scoring threat to reach the next level. While there are some doubts about his physical and defensive play, his creativity and scoring ability is undeniable.

Future

Puustinen will return to Finland to begin his professional career – signing a two-year contract with Espoo Blues in May 2008. With decent size and strength, Puustinen proved he is a capable scorer in North American junior hockey. Whether he is able to translate that success in juniors to the SM-Liiga in the way that Osala did is the big question.

Stats

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Profile Last Updated: August, 2nd 2009

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