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~~gorlab~~ · 04-04-2014, 05:18 AM

<div align="center">Esa Anrikkanen, from Helsinki Finland, has stormed onto the North American pro hockey scene. A youth product of the world famous Jokerit development system, Anrikkanen has earned the reputation as one of Finland's brightest prospects in the S18 SHL entry draft. Prior to his arrival in North America, Anrikkanen played for 1 season with the Jokerit senior team in the SM-liiga as a 19 year old, and scored an impressive 20 goals and 34 points in 50 games. His debut at the professional level caught the attention of North American scouts and generated a major buzz. The young Fin felt he was ready to follow in the footsteps of other legendary Jokerit products like Jari Kurri, Teemu Selanne, and Kari Lehtonen, and take his skills to North America and compete amongst the best in the world.

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Anrikkanen during his first season with Jokerit in the SM-liiga

Anrikkanen is a generational talent who is gifted both offensively and in skill aspects of the game, while having the size and strength to make his presence known on the ice. The 6'3â€, 255 pound 19 year old already has the physicality to be a force in the SHL, but his strength and power are complimented, if not overshadowed, by his fantastic skating ability. His speed and center-of-balance are an absolute anomaly for someone of his size. He is most comfortable on either wing, but has the ability and hockey IQ to also play the center position. He is literally one of the biggest and fastest skaters in the upcoming SHL entry draft, and GM's around the league must certainly be foaming at the mouth to obtain his services. Most scouts have him as the best power forward available but his goal scoring is on par with some of the best snipers that the SMJHL has seen in recent years. He is truly the best all-around forward in the upcoming draft.

After his first season in the Finnish Elite League, Anrikkanen felt the time was right to make the jump to North America, and declared for the S17 SMJHL entry draft. Due to a poor scouting presence in Finland, Anrikkanen was drafted by the Detroit Falcons 12th overall, in round 3 of the draft. Anrikkanen was not discouraged by his low draft position and focused on the upcoming season, his first in North America. From the very first game with Detroit, the Falcons became well aware of what Esa was capable of, and how lucky they were to select him so late in the draft. It was clear that Anrikkanen was one of the most dominant players in the SMJHL, and his stats definitely back it up. Anrikkanen led the entire SMJHL in goals and points with 22 and 38, respectively, over the 40 game regular season. He was also 2nd in shots taken with 130, 5th in shooting percentage with a staggering 17% of his shots converting to goals, 1st in powerplay goals with 9, and 1st in powerplay points with 17. His name litters the top-10 of numerous other league-wide categories and Anrikkanen's play has all but guaranteed him to not slip out of the 1st round in the upcoming SHL entry draft.

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<span style='font-size:8pt;line-height:100%'>Anrikkanen after being selected 13th overall by the Detroit Falcons

Anrikkanen leads his Detroit Falcons into their SMJHL playoff series against the St. Louis Scarecrows and looks to add a Four Star Cup to his resume, to go along with his individual achievements and awards that will no doubt come after the playoffs. Esa Anrikkanen certainly has the talent and potential to become not only the greatest Finnish player in history, but one of the best players of all-time. Whether he continues his ascent to the absolute pinnacle of hockey remains to be seen, but Esa Anrikkanen, the Big Fin, is certainly the type of player that only comes around once a generation. </span></div>

MEDIA GRADERS DONT GRADE/PAY THIS ARTICLE PLS.

xDParK · 04-04-2014, 05:22 AM

steelhead77>>>>>>>>>>

~~gorlab~~ · 04-04-2014, 05:29 AM

Quote:Originally posted by xDParker@Apr 4 2014, 03:22 AM
steelhead77>>>>>>>>>>

That's what I said!

Muerto · 04-04-2014, 06:42 AM

Steelhead77 · 04-04-2014, 03:48 PM

Wow! Thanks gorlab, can't tell you how great it feels to see an SHL article pop up on Anrikkanen.

Awesome write up. :D

---> ParmBorg Highlights <---

#1 All-Time SHL Goal & Point Scorer
- First 2,000 TPE Player in SHL History -
- First 400 Goal Scorer in SHL History -
- Only 500 Goal Scorer in SHL History -
- First GM to Win 5 & 6 Challenge Cups -
Esa Anrikkanen Award - SMJHL ROY - Est. S34
Vidrik Onoprienko Award Winner - S45

Dragonite

Wasty · 04-04-2014, 03:50 PM

Nice job Gorlab! Anrikkanen is a beast!

#40 Niclas Wastlund - W - VANCOUVER WHALERS Whalers

/ MINNESOTA MONARCHS

Underoath10 · 04-06-2014, 05:23 PM

I'm going to grade this and there's nothing you can do about! Firing me won't solve anything and will only create a larger work load for yourself. I'M DRUNK ON MEDIA POWER! :ph34r:

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