[Sandman]

LHD Valtteri Koskela,5'10"157lbs (JYP U20): 23gp/7g/5a/12pts. 15th for players under 19 in p/gp. Also saw time in the Liiga (33gp/1g/7a/8pts-5th for players under 19). Solid two-way defender, and Swiss Army knife-plays both sides of special teams, and both sides of the ice. Nice blend of stay-at-home D, with aggression in joining the rush. He's confident and poised with the puck, and displays transitional smarts. Moves the puck well under pressure from forecheckers.

Koskela's ability to move the puck out of danger often enables his team to exit with control-he can make crisp, accurate breakout passes, or skate it through the neutral zone himself. Solid on his skates, with fine four-way mobility and balance, all giving him good gap control. Adept at breaking up rushes, often in the middle zone. He works hard, battles for pucks, and finishes his checks. Quick stick to disrupt plays, dislodge pucks, and tie up other players' sticks. Despite his size, he protects the puck well. Disciplined in his rush defense, he lets the attacker make the first move, then reacts with smarts. Plays attackers close, limiting time and space, forcing turnovers, and limiting time spent for JYP in their own zone. He has a wide array of tools offensively, but he mostly keeps things simple, getting pucks deep, and sending smart passes to keep play alive-but he needs to learn to be more creative. Needs to also build a better, stronger shot. For a player his age to spend 33 games in the Liiga is impressive.5th/6th round.