By Michael Sonday
Colorado College recruit Teemu Kivihalme (kiv-i-hall-me) is an offensive defenseman with vision and hand skills that should correlate into a draft selection this June.
Kivihalme scored nine goals and added 22 assists for 31 points in 27 games playing for his father, Janne Kivihalme, the head coach at Burnsville high school in Minnesota. During his junior season, Kivihalme was named to the second team of Associated Press 2013 All-State team for Minnesota boys hockey, but ultimately struggled where it counted most late in the season.
His game revolves around his offensive abilities and his penchant for guiding a power-play. His defensive play and gap control will need improvement as he moves up the hockey-playing ladder.
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Teemu Kivihalme (D, 2013) - Burnsville HS-MN
Kivihalme is rich with offensive capabilities as he’s very savvy with the puck .. demonstrates on a nightly basis his ability to create offense with precision passing and possesses great instincts while on the attack .. very clever with the stick as his soft hands aid him in being a good playmaker .. one of the top skating prospects playing Minnesota High School Hockey as he has good top speed and can transition with ease .. His elite agility allows him the luxury of holding on to the puck for that extra second .. has extreme quickness, utilizing it to generate opportunities or maneuver out of trouble .. uses his body well while protecting the puck, showing adequate strength on his slight frame .. gets his shot off very quick and on net .. not a physical player but does a sufficient job along the boards thanks to a relentless determination. His defensive aptitude is a work in progress as there are holes in this area .. has trouble defending odd man rushes from time-to-time, using questionable judgments on the oppositions inclinations, although there have been minor improvements in this area .. inconsistent in his gap control, sometimes allowing the puck-carrier too much time and space operate .. a bit raw right now, but with continued experience, he could prove to be a good bargain in the late rounds of the draft.