Player's Profile
Picture Courtesy of Holly Gunning
- Name: Riku Helenius
- Position: G
- Catches: Left
- Height: 6-3
- Weight: 202 lbs
- Birthdate: 1988-03-01
- Eligible for Draft: 2006
- Drafted:
- Hometown: Palkane, Finland
- Acquired: 1st round (15th overall), 2006
- Playing In: Pro
Riku Helenius
Prospect Grade: 6.0 D (About Prospect Grades)
Profile Contributed By: HF Staff
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: Helenius had a good showing in his first year of North American hockey. Suiting up for the Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL), he went 22-12 with three shutouts, a 2.42 goals against average and a .920 save percentage. He also saw some action for Team Finland at the WJC, capturing a shutout in four appearances.
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, 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.
Future
Future Analysis Coming Soon...
Stats
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Profile Last Updated: July, 28th 2009
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