Jyrki Jokipakka
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Birthday:
1991-08-20 |
Position:
D |
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Eligible for draft:
2011 |
Shoots:
Left |
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Drafted:
2011 |
Height:
6-3 |
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Acquired:
7th round (195th overall), 2011 |
Weight:
192 lbs. |
Prospect Talent Score
Probability of Success
- C
History
2008-09: Jokipakka played at multiple levels with Ilves. With the U20 Jr. A SM-Liiga, he played in 4 games going pointless. With the U18 Jr. B SM-Sarja Q, he scored 1 goal and added one assist in 9 games. With the U18 Jr. B SM-Sarja he scored 3 goals and added 6 assists in 24 games.
2009-10: Jokipakka played for Ilves U20 Jr. A Sm-Liiga. He scored 3 goals and added 12 assists in 38 games. He also scored 1 goal in 5 games. He also represented Finland at the U19 level, scoring 2 goals and picking up 2 assists in 7 games.
2010-11: Jokipakka turned pro for the first time as a 19-year-old at Finland’s highest level. He appeared in 48 games for Ilves Tampere, registering a goal and eight helpers but was scoreless in five postseason games. He also represented Finland for the first time at the World Junior Championships – registered 3 points and a plus-5 rating in 6 games (both figures were second among club defensemen behind Sami Vatanen). After being passed over by 30 NHL teams several times (perhaps from lack of exposure of not playing pro), his very strong WJC performance prompted Dallas to take a flyer on the big Finnish defenseman.
2011-12: Jokipakka established himself as a solid two-way defender at the professional level in his second season in Finland's SM-Liiga in an otherwise forgettable season for Ilves Tampere. Jokipakka was the leading scorer amongst Ilves defensemen with 9 goals and 8 assists in 52 games and had 18 penalty minutes. He finished minus-four as Ilves won just 28 of 60 games and finished last in the 14-team league. Ilves defeated Mestis champion Vaasa Sport in a playoff series to avoid relegation. Jokipakka had 2 assists and 2 penalty minutes in the five games against Sport. He signed a three-year, entry-level contract with Dallas in June 2012.
Talent Analysis
Jokipakka is a big, mobile defenseman who exudes hockey sense. Generally good positionally and has long reach. Plays a very tactical defensive style, isn’t much for overt physicality. Can rush the puck well or make a good first pass with regularity. Given his overall skillset, he’s probably looking at a more defensive game in North America. Only an average shot. Can move the puck well as a power play quarterback though, handles the puck with poise. Very passive can be a victim of crease crashers. Could improve his acceleration a tiny bit and his gap control in the low neutral zone/high defensive zone.
Future
Will turn pro in North America in 2012-13.
