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Eemeli was selected in the second round of the 2016 CHL Import Draft by the Kingston Frontenacs. He previously played for Assat U18 and U20 teams last season. He also participated in the World Under 17 Challenge. This season Rasanen played at the Ivan Hlinka and after the season he competed at the IIHF Under 18 Championships.
Eemeli had a bit of a rough start to the season. Early on it seemed that he was struggling with the speed of the OHL and he often got himself caught out of position. He improved greatly over the course of the season. He became more comfortable and came into his own late in the year and in the playoffs. He is an exceptionally big defenseman, just a hair under 6'07" and potentially still growing. He’s a physical player who can deliver crushing checks. He does fairly well along the boards. He isn't overly quick down there but he is imposing and has a good stick in battles. For a big defenseman, he is actually a very effective passer. He advances the puck up ice and goes D to D, but if he has no quick option, he'll often go glass and out. He does still have his share of mental lapses with the puck, but it has improved since the early part of the season.
In the offensive zone he moves the puck well, but he also possesses a huge shot from the point. When he gets it through he is a threat to either score or create a rebound. Defensively he uses the his and his stick well and his backwards skating improved over the the season. However, he needs to work on his pivoting, he can get crossed up facing speedy, agile opponents.
at to either score or create a rebound. Defensively he uses the his and his stick well and his backwards skating improved over the the season. However, he needs to work on his pivoting, he can get crossed up facing speedy, agile opponents. He generally does fine against bigger opponents. Rasanen has taken some bad penalties in our viewings Eemeli has tremendous upside. He has potential to be a top four defenseman at the NHL level. He has shown good adjustment to the North American game and has shown steady progress throughout the year. He still has his flaws and is still growing into his size. There is a bust factor that comes with the boom, but he already has plenty to his game that makes the expectations for him to be at least that of a serviceable defenseman in the NHL.
*Just a note that we included some negative quotes here because it gave context to some early thoughts on Rasanen. Many scouts we spoke to had a different opinion of him later in the season
Quotable: "I think Eemeli improved a lot this year. He looked like a bit of a disaster in my first few viewings and didn't think he was much more than a big body who was struggling to handle the OHL game. As I saw him in January, February and into the playoffs I was impressed with his progression. He has developed at a rate that makes me confident with his tools and size that will have a good chance to make the NHL." - HP Scout, Ryan Yessie
Quotable: “Where do I start? I think I had as many conversations about Rasanen as any other player in the draft. Opinions were all over the map. A lot of guys changed their minds about him after not liking him at all in the fall. Personally, I think he has a pretty high ceiling because he really improved moving pucks in the 2nd half. He’s not without risk and he had some ugly moments at the U18, but there is good stuff to build on. too.There are a lot of players with warts in this draft. He’s still very raw but he has potential. - HP Scout, Mark Edwards
Quotable: “He’s a bit of a mess today.” - NHL Scout (September 2016)
Quotable: “One big (Euro) one small (Linus Nyman) and neither are making think I’m going to Kingston much this season.” - NHL Scout (September 2016)
Quotable: “I’ll be interested to see him after he gets his feet wet over here (in the OHL) It’s not like he’s the first kid to struggle early on after coming here. Everything is new for him right now. - NHL Scout (October 2016)
Quotable: “I’ really like him. I think his upside is very high. He is way better with the puck than I expected him to be. - NHL Scout (December 2016)
February Conversation: NHL Scout “I’m hearing first round for him.” Mark Edwards: “When you think about it, it’s not completely crazy to think it could happen in this draft” NHL Scout “No, you’re right, it’s not.”
Quotable: “Guys on our staff like him, but he hasn’t been good when I’ve seen him. He wasn’t great again today.” - NHL Scout (February 2017)
Quotable:”He’s huge, he can move the puck and he is solid on the powerplay. The kid’s upside is pretty high and nobody seems to talk about him.” - NHL Scout (February 2017)
Quotable: “He’s probably already better than Logan Stanley. I’d say mid 2nd rounder.I had Stanley ranked later than that last year.” - NHL Scout (February 2017)
Quotable: “If you compare him to a guy his size like Stanley, I’d probably take this kid.He’s a solid 2nd rounder for me.” NHL Scout (March 2017)
Quotable: “Just when I was finally starting to see what other guys saw in him, he takes a step back in Slovakia.” - NHL Scout (May 2017)
