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Player's Profile

Picture Courtesy of www.tappara.fi

  • Name: Niklas Lucenius
  • Position: C
  • Shoots: Left
  • Height: 6-0
  • Weight: 189 lbs
  • Birthdate: 1989-05-03
  • Eligible for Draft: 2007
  • Drafted: 2007
  • Hometown: Tappara, Finland
  • Acquired: 4th round (115th overall), 2007
  • Playing In: Europe

Niklas Lucenius

Prospect Grade: 6.0 D  (About Prospect Grades)

Profile Contributed By: HF Staff

History

2005-06: Lucenius played his early years for TPS in his hometown Turku. He experienced a year of North American hockey in his early teens and eventually moved to Tappara in Finnish juniors.


2006-07: A leader among Finnish 1989-born players, Lucenius became a top player in the age group early but failed to make more of a breakout prior to the NHL draft in 2007. Facing ups and downs in his draft year, Lucenius’ final test in the U18 World Championships was a disappointment.

2007-08: After scoring 14 goals for Tappara at the A junior level in 2006-2007, he seemed to develop his play making skills even more in his second year – assisting on 13 goals in just fifteen games. This was his first year of pro hockey in Finland – as he spent 28 games with the SM-Liiga team as well as playing six games in Mestis with LeKi.

Talent Analysis

An aggressive center also able to play wing, Lucenius is well-rounded enough to make the most out of the pivot position. With an eagerness to hit and challenge defensemen with the puck, Lucenius can be flashy but also solid, thanks to his ample strength and decision-making skills. Crashing the net is what he does best. However, he lacks some vision, which limits his potential to a lesser NHL scoring line player, as he fails to use his linemates to full extent.

Future

While his passing and play-making skills were greatly improved, the big challenge for Lucenius will be to improve his skating ability and strength enough to succeed at the NHL level. He will be with Tappara’s SM-Liiga team in 2008-2009 before deciding whether to make the move to North America the following season.

Stats

SEASON   TEAM                                                                    GP G A PTS +/- PIM
2005-06 Tappara Tampere (Jr. A SM-Sarja/FNL) 23 5 4 9 +6 18
2006 Team Finland (WJC 18) 6 0 0 0 +1 0
2006-07 Tappara Tampere (Jr. A SM-Sarja/FNL) 33 14 14 28 -- 24
2006-07 Tappara Tampere (SM Liiga/FNL) 5 0 0 0 0 0
2007 Team Finland (WJC 18) 4 1 1 2 -1 4

 

Profile Last Updated: February, 24th 2009

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