Player's Profile
Picture Courtesy of www.goaliepro.com
- Name: Riku Helenius
- Position: G
- Catches: Left
- Height: 6-3
- Weight: 202 lbs
- Birthdate: 1988-03-01
- Eligible for Draft: 2006
- Drafted:
- Hometown: ,
- Acquired: 2006 NHL Draft by Tampa Bay
- Playing In: CHL
Riku Helenius
Prospect Grade: 8.0 C (About Prospect Grades)
Profile Contributed By: Phil Laugher
History
The Finnish goalie is a product of the Ilves system. Helenius has seized opportunities early on in juniors and maintained a solid development curve. He was long a split starter for the national teams but conquered the starter's position in the spring of 2006. He chose a good time to be hot, first winning Jr B gold with Ilves and then earning a silver medal in the U18 World Championships, where he was named the best goalie of the tournament.
The 2006-07 season, however, was a lost season for Helenius, who suffered a season-ending shoulder injury that required surgery very early in the year. It was expected that Helenius would be the starting goaltender with the Ilves junior squad.
2007-08 saw a change of scenery for Helenius, as he came across the Atlantic to join the Seattle Thunderbirds of the WHL. Helenius has been inconsistent in his first full season back from injury, but played well enough to earn a roster spot on the Finnish World Junior squad.
Talent Analysis
Helenius is a big, conventional butterfly goalie. He has excellent movement in all directions, which grants him strong game-breaking abilities. His reflexes and speed are good enough for him to be able to develop into a starting goalie in the NHL, the blocker and glove just need their technique refined. In his teens Helenius is still a mediocre puckhandler and it will never be a strength for him in professional hockey. Helenius is a calm goalie, perhaps a little too calm as a more explosive style of play could add more drive to his development.
Future
Future Analysis Coming Soon...
Stats
Stats Coming Soon...
Profile Last Updated: April, 9th 2008
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