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crutch · 06-07-2020, 04:25 AM

Player's Tribune - Jesse Seppanen
Chapter I - Genesis // Draft Day

Genesis // Draft Day

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Looking onto the bench of the the Jokerit U20 team in the Jr. A SM-Liiga league in their final regular season game, Jesse Seppanen slams his stick against the boards. Coming off of a shift where he missed a wide open net, from a great pass from one of his teammates, Seppanen knows that his team needed that goal to make the playoffs. Seppanen, one of the stars of the team, is depended on to lead his team into victory. Down 2-1 going into the final five minutes of the game, he realistically only has 1 shift left before the end of his season.

“It’s bad feeling, knowing I have chance to score goal and put team in good position to at least make playoff,” Seppanen begins, “I play tough game, I push body to net and I try to score goal and beat goalie. I try to be tough to play against.”

Seppanen has been counted on to score big goals throughout the season and coming up short where it matters most is super unfortunate. His frustration is visible on the bench as he shakes his head.

“I sometime have short fuse when I do not play as good as I think I should be.”

Time flies by on the ice, as the clock winds down. Thirty six seconds left on the clock, as the opposing team has an icing call against them. Offensive zone draw. The coach notions for Seppanen’s line to hit the ice.

“I live for big moment. I want to be depend upon.” Seppanen says in his rough English.

The puck hits the ice and it’s a clean draw back to the defenseman. Seppanen finds himself in an open spot as the puck slides back to the left defenceman. Because he plays on his off wing, he has a great one-time opportunity. If only the puck will get to him. The defenceman fakes the shot, one of the opposing team’s player’s goes down to block the shot. The defenceman smoothly skates around the sprawled out defenceman and snaps a pass towards Seppanen.

He loads up.

He shoots.

The twine tickles, and for an instant, everything is silent before everyone knows what is going on.

Goal.

The goal horn sounds and Seppanen raises his hands in the air, as his teammates come to celebrate.

“I love big moment. I love the pressure of game.”

Seppanen celebrates with his teammates, as they head off the ice. Tie game. The time in the regular season ticks down and it’s going to an immediate shootout. Seppanen , as usual is shooting third in the shootout.

The first player from the opposing team goes in.

Misses.

The first player from Jokerit goes in and misses as well.

Both players in the second round are saved by the goalies.

The third player from the opposing team misses. Seppanen takes the ice.

He looks up at the scoreboard, and into the home arena. The fans know that the game rides on their player that has been there for them and helped push their team towards the playoff all season long. The arena waits with baited breath as Seppanen skates in and dances with the puck. This power forward certainly knows how to handle the puck efficiently. He dekes, the goalie bites, and is now flat on his stomach. Seppanen has a wide open net, and he shoots it high and tickles the twine.

Goal.

The arena explodes as Seppanen celebrates, his team pours over the boards. They're going to the playoffs.

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The playoffs go fast the Seppanen's team is bounced in the first round, Seppanen suffers a slight injury to his leg that holds him out of the seven game series. Unfortunately, his team couldn't rally around the other players on the team and the Jokerit U20 team is eliminated.

...

Time goes by, and Seppanen announces that he is declaring for the S54 SMJHL Entry Draft.

"I have always want to play in the best league in the world. I feel the SHL is that league. I want to play on big stage and score big goal on big stage." Seppanen begins, "I am looking forward to new teammates, new experiences, and new coach."

Purely on talent, Seppanen might be a first round pick. A huge winger that plays extremely physical, can score goals, and play both ends of the ice? It's a lot in a player but Seppanen brings a lot to the table. Even on the European ice, he seems to whiz all over the ice. He shouldn't have a problem adapting to the North American ice and should see himself go in the first round, according to SMJHL scouts.

Seppanen attends the draft combines, and some teams are communicating their draft plans with him.

"I think I go to Colorado Raptors", Seppanen begins, "They tell me they want to draft me, they have picks. I think Raptors are a good place to be. I want to be in Colorado or Maine."

Draft day comes, and the expected draft position for Seppanen comes.

And it goes, with Seppanen still on the board.

"I be a little upset when draft goes by and I'm not selected when I was told. Things change fast in hockey world. So it no big deal."

Seppanen slips rounds and rounds, until finally he is selected by the Maine Timber, 31st overall.

"I am happy that I be going to Maine. One of my places I wanted to go most. Colorado would have been good too. But I am happy to be Timber."

Why did Seppanen fall? Many people following the SMJHL draft wondered, but scouts all knew why the young Finnish winger fell down the draft boards.

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"Seppanen's player agent is a bit of a loose cannon ... Has a history of mismanaging players, not living up to potential. Lots of question marks. The kid is skilled, no doubt about it, but the consistency is left to be desired. The potential is through the roof with Jesse, but to be a high pick, I highly, highly, highly doubt that Jesse has the consistency and longevity to make it in the SMJHL or SHL as a main talent that you can rely on."
- An Unnamed SMJHL Scout

"I know that reputation of my player agent is not good within league," Seppanen starts, "Inconsistency, it all. I have full faith in the player agent that I have."

"I am going to make every team that pass on me mad when I fill net with puck. Score goal and hit player."

Seppanen is a man on a mission at this point - and the Maine Timber, even though they are young, are skilled. It's hard to see them not pushing the playoffs as a wild card.

"I love to score goal."
- Jesse Seppanen

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