Image: Holly Gunning/HF

Sami Vatanen

Hometown:

Jyvaskyla Finland

Team:

Currently Playing In:

Pro

Birthday: 1991-06-03	Position: D
Eligible for draft: 2009	Shoots: Right
Drafted: 2009	Height: 5-9
Acquired: 4th round (106th overall0, 2009	Weight: 159 lbs.

Prospect Talent Score

7.5

About Prospect Talent Score and Probability of Success»

Probability of Success

History

2007-08: In 35 games with JYP's U20 squad, the D-man scored nine goals and 29 assists. He also competed with Finland's national team at the U18 WJC, registering three helpers in six games.

2008-09: Suited up for 20 games with JYP in the U20 SM-Liiga, posting three goals and seven assists. Captained the Finnish entry in the U18 World Championships, winning a bronze medal in the process.

2009-10: Playing for JyP HT Jyvaskyla of the Finnish league, Vatanen posted 7 goals, 23 assists, 44 PIM, and 4 powerplay goals. He also registered 324 shots. He also represented Finland at the WJC where he posted 2 goals and 3 assists in 6 games. At the end of the season, he skated for Finland at the World Cup, where he went scoreless in 7 games.

2010-11: Vatanen was an offensive catalyst from his defense spot as a 19-year-old in his second season with JyP, the top team in Finland's SM-Liiga. JyP finished with 129 points – ten points ahead of second-place Assat Pori and Vatanen was a team-leading +30 plus/minus with 11 goals and 20 assists in 52 games. He was +4 with 1 goal and 1 assist in three playoff games before suffering a leg injury that kept him out of the remainder of the playoffs and the 2011 IIHF World Championship. Vatanen played for Finland at the 2011 U20 World Junior Championship and was +7 with 4 assists. He signed a three-year, entry-level contract with Anaheim in May 2011.

2011-12: Vatanen was the second-leading scorer among defensemen in Finland's SM-Liiga behind veteran Toni Soderholm. He scored 14 goals with 28 assists in 49 games in his third season with league champion JyP. Vatanan missed time mid-season with a broken finger and also suffered a leg injury during the SM-Liiga playoffs that limited him to four games. JyP defeated Pelicans in the Kanada Cup finals after finishing fourth in the regular season . Vatanen scored 2 goals and was plus-two with 4 penalty minutes in the playoffs. His injury kept him out of the 2012 U20 IIHF World Championship – which was co-hosted by Finland and Sweden.

Talent Analysis

Vatanen has game-breaking potential with his speed, imagination and seeing-eye wrist shot. As a puck-carrying, puck-moving defenseman, his skills are on par with the best prospects out there. Vatanen remains rather undersized, which will present a major obstacle as he transitions onto North American ice.

Future

Already prospering in Finland’s top professional league, Vatanen has proved he can play among fully developed opponents. Whether or not he is capable of doing so in the world’s greatest league remains to be seen. Vatanen could be a dynamic No. 2 defenseman, or he could spend his entire pro career in Europe.

News & Features

Anaheim Ducks minor league prospects show promise despite missing the AHL playoffs

by Jason Lewis

April 30th, 2013

Photo: After a slow start to his rookie season, Emerson Etem came on strong in the second half, earning a steady role in the Ducks lineup (courtesy of Ric Tapia/Icon SMI)

In a low-scoring season that you might consider a struggle, the Norfolk Admirals and the Anaheim Ducks still have a lot to look forward to with several young and promising players suiting up for the team. Between a few solid goaltenders, some talented forwards, and at least one AHL All-rookie team defenseman, the Ducks can look at their AHL system with a promising eye. Many of the prospects are on the cusp of becoming NHL players, and as the AHL season has come to an end many of them have made noteworthy cases for being considered for a spot with the big club next season.

Anaheim Ducks’ system features talent on the wings and depth on defense

by Brad Johnson

February 20th, 2013

Photo: With 54 NHL games already under his belt, Devante Smith-Pelly is the leading left wing prospect in the Anaheim prospect pool. (courtesy of Ray Carlin/Icon SMI)

The Anaheim Ducks prospect system has a solid core and the future appears to be very bright. The club features great depth with young rising stars at each position. The Ducks have a few skaters whom many believe have the ability to make an immediate impact at the NHL level.

Team Rankings: Anaheim Ducks continue to have solid talent at all positions

by HF Staff

December 5th, 2012

Photo: After playing the past three seasons in Finland, defenseman Sami Vatanen made his way to North America and currently plays for the AHL affiliate of the Anaheim Ducks. (Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

Below is the middle section Hockey’s Future’s NHL Team Rankings. The teams are ranked in terms of the quality of their overall prospect pool as voted on by the staff of Hockey's Future. For reference, just the top five prospects are listed. To be eligible, a prospect must meet HF's prospect criteria. The rankings are done twice a year, with the second scheduled to be published in the Spring.

Crop of wingers the main strength in the Anaheim Ducks Top 20

by Devon Cordell

August 31st, 2012

Photo: Anahiem Ducks prospect Kyle Palmieri moved closer to becoming a full-time NHL player in the 2011-12 season, a season that included being chosen to participate at the 2012 AHL All-Star Game (courtesy of Bill Streicher/Icon SMI)

The Anaheim Ducks once again bolstered their organizational depth and addressed team needs with eight selections at the 2012 NHL Draft. Five of the picks from that draft will be featured in this ranking, with Hampus Lindholm leading the newest recruits to the Ducks' organization.

Numerous Anaheim prospects experienced breakout 2011-12 seasons

by Andrew Knoll

July 7th, 2012

Photo: Defenseman Andy Welinski possesses one of the hardest shots of any Anaheim prospect. Welinski will play for the University of Minnesota-Duluth for 2012-13. (Brace Hemmelgarn/Icon SMI)

The Anaheim Ducks have a prospect mix that is high on talent and beginning to find some balance across the board. This past season was defined largely by the addition of three Swedes, William Karlsson, Rikard Rakell, and Max Friberg, who captured a pair of awards here. The campaign was also marked by steady improvements and fluid adjustments by players who moved advanced stages in their development whether by role, level, or both. It was also defined in part by a significant loss, that of defenseman Justin Schultz who spurned the Ducks for free agency.

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