Player's Profile
Picture Courtesy of Holly Gunning
- Name: Tommi Kivisto
- Position: D
- Shoots: Left
- Height: 6-1
- Weight: 195 lbs
- Birthdate: 1991-06-07
- Eligible for Draft: 2009
- Drafted: 2009
- Hometown: Vantaa, Finland
- Acquired: 7th round (208th overall), 2009
- Playing In: Europe
Tommi Kivisto
Prospect Grade: 5.5 C (About Prospect Grades)
Profile Contributed By: HF Staff
History
2007-08: Kivisto split the season between Jokerit's U-18 and U-20 teams. In nine games at the U-20 level he scored 2 goals with 4 PIM. He also played six games for Team Finland at the WJC U-18 tournament, netting 1 goal with 2 assists and 8 PIM. Kivisto was drafted in the first round (sixth overall) of the 2008 CHL Import draft by Red Deer (WHL). 2008-09: In his first season of North American hockey, Kivisto was one of the top offensive defensemen in the WHL for the first half of the season but seemed to fade as the season wore on - particularly after returning from the WJC tournament. In 65 regular season games with the Rebels, he scored 1 goal with 21 assists but was -9 with 49 PIM. Playing for Team Finland at the WJC U-20 tournament, Kivisto scored one goal in six games. 2009-10: After being drafted by the Hurricanes, Kivisto turned some heads by deciding to return to Finland and compete for a spot with Jokerit in the SM-Liiga rather than returning to Red Deer. Jokerit struggled out of the gate and with a veteran defense corps and two other young players battling for spots, Kivisto's saw very little ice time. He spent a good portion of the season with Jokerit's U-20 team. In 22 SM-Liiga games, he had two assists with 12 PIM and was -4. In 18 junior games, he had 2 goals with 5 assists and 58 PIM. Kivisto also played for Team Finland at the WJC U-20 tournament - with 1 assist in six games and a -2 plus/minus.
2010-11: Kivisto saw limited ice-time with Jokerit in his first full season in Finland's SM-Liiga. He appeared in 38 games for the Helsinki-based club and had five assists with a +4 plus/minus with 22 PMs while averaging just over 17 minutes of ice time per game. Kivisto signed a three-year, entry level deal with the Hurricanes in June 2011.
Talent Analysis
Kivisto is an offensive capable blueliner with a powerful shot, though the last impression many in North America have of him is the second half of his season spent in the WHL, when he scored just once in 65 games. Kivisto skates well, can make good passes and is satisfactory in his own end but the knock on him is his decision making and his ability to control the puck when pressured. Did little to dispel those concerns when he decided to return home to Finland rather than facing the competitive forechecking in the WHL. He made a positive impression on some in the Carolina organization by attending the team's conditioning camp and performing well in the fitness tests.
Future
Kivisto remains unsigned and will return to Helsinki for the second year of his contract with Jokerit. Barring any last minute signings, he should see a fair amount of ice time in the SM-Liiga alongside veterans Ossi Vaananen and Antti-Jussi Niemi, gaining the experience he needs to develop into a professional hockey player. In terms of being an NHL prospect, Kivisto has skills and physical ability that compare favorably to most defensemen his age. What is not certain is whether he's willing or able to do the things necessary to produce at a level that matches his considerable talent.
Stats
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Profile Last Updated: October, 12th 2011
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