Rickard Rakell
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Birthday:
1993-05-05 |
Position:
RW |
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Eligible for draft:
2011 |
Shoots:
Right |
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Drafted:
2011 |
Height:
6-0 |
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Acquired:
1st round (30th overall), 2011 |
Weight:
191 lbs. |
Prospect Talent Score
Probability of Success
- C
History
2008-09: Rakell split time between the J-18 and J-16 squads while playing for AIK. In 16 games for the J-18 squad, Rakell scored 2 goals and added 3 assists for 5 points. In 8 games for the J-16 squad, Rakell scored 9 goals and added 5 assists for 14 points.
2009-10: Rakell spent most of the season with AIK's J-18 squad. In 30 games for that team, he scored 25 goals and added 16 assists for 41 points. In 3 playoff games, Rakell scored 2 goals and added 2 assists for 4 points. Rakell also played for AIK's J-20 squad, scoring 3 goals and adding 1 assist for 4 points in 8 games. Rakell scored 1 goal in 2 playoff games for that team. Rakell played for Sweden at the 2010 World U-17 Hockey Challenge, scoring 1 goal and adding 1 assist for 2 points in 6 games. Rakell was chosen in the first round, 41st overall, of the 2010 CHL Import Draft by the OHL's Plymouth Whalers.
2010-11: In his OHL rookie season, Rakell played in 49 games for the Whalers. He scored 19 goals and added 24 assists for 43 points. Rakell played in just 1 playoff game and registered no points. Rakell played for Sweden at the 2011 U-20 World Junior Championship, picking up 3 assists in 5 games. Rakell played for Team Cherry at the 2011 CHL Top Prospects Game.
2011-12: Rakell returned to the OHL for a second season with the Plymouth Whalers after attending Ducks' camp. He was the Whalers' fourth-leading scorer, scoring 28 goals with 34 assists and was plus-12 with 62 penalty minutes. Plymouth finished first in the West Division and reached the second round of the playoffs. Rakell scored 2 goals with a team-high 10 assists and was an even plus-minus in 13 playoff games. He signed a three-year entry-level contract with Anaheim in July 2012.
Talent Analysis
Rakell has become a very well-rounded player. His strong two-way game, hockey sense and offensive instincts have made pushed him over a point-per-game in the OHL this season. He was one of Sweden’s more effective forwards in their gold-medal run at the World Juniors this season. Rakell has developed his physique nicely in a short period of time, although he still has plenty of room to add strength.
Future
Rakell has shown nice scoring upside and could one day be a second-liner in the NHL. Even if he never explodes offensively, Rakell is versatile enough to stick as a pro and should have every opportunity to be a career NHL player.
