Player's Profile
Picture Courtesy of http://www.jatkoaika.com
- Name: Vili Sopanen
- Position: LW
- Shoots: Right
- Height: 6-4
- Weight: 209 lbs
- Birthdate: 1987-10-21
- Eligible for Draft: 2007
- Drafted: 2007
- Hometown: Valkeala, Finland
- Acquired: 6th round (#177 overall), 2007
- Playing In: Europe
Vili Sopanen
Prospect Grade: 6.0 C (About Prospect Grades)
Profile Contributed By: Jared Ramsden
History
2006: Originally a junior player in the KooKoo organization, Sopanen moved to the nearby Pelicans at an early age. He wasn't a mainstay on junior national teams, and as a result he accumulated less international experience than most European draftees. Despite his size, he never moved to older junior levels prematurely.
2006-07: Sopanen made a push at the Finnish WJC squad and was successful in the end. While his tournament there was rather uneventful, back home he continued as the top scorer of U20 Pelicans and won the championship title with the team. He was selected in the sixth round of the 2007 NHL Draft by the New Jersey Devils.
Pekka Lampinen contributed to this profile
Talent Analysis
Sopanen is a big winger focusing on finesse skills. Decent defensively, his skills stand out more in the offensive end. He is comfortable with the puck, able to make good passes or carry the puck himself. As a swift skater, he can combine a fairly abrasive offensive game to a set of abilities which allow him to challenge defensemen successfully.
However, Sopanen doesn't push to the net nearly as often as his skills would permit. He would need the straightforwardness, as his hockey sense isn't his greatest strength. Also, his physical play is stifled by a lack of a mean streak. Sopanen has intriguing potential but isn't very likely to make the NHL as a offensive player.
Future
Sopanen has until 2009 to earn a contract from the Devils, which is realistic considering that he was drafted at a slightly older age, and thus he stands a chance to reach high enough a level by then. Sopanen won't be ready for the NHL until the 2010's, though.
Stats
| SEASON | TEAM | GP | G | A | PTS | +/- | PIM |
| 2005-06 | Pelicans Lahti Jr. A (FIN) |
37 | 14 | 17 | 31 | +1 | 22 |
| 2005-06 | Pelicans Lahti (FIN) | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2006-07 | Pelicans Lahti Jr. A (FIN) | 33 | 18 | 21 | 39 | +1 | 40 |
| 2006-07 | Pelicans Lahti (FIN) | 7 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2007 | Team Finland (WJC) | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
Profile Last Updated: March, 12th 2008
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