Aksel Thomassen Biography
Early Life
Aksel Thomassen is a professional ice hockey player, currently playing for the Ottawa Lynx of the VHLM. Aksel was born on March 27th, 1996 in Copenhagen, Denmark. Aksel’s father Niklas played hockey internationally for Denmark. Aksel has always been close to his father and thus wanted to follow in his footsteps. He started off playing as a goaltender but saw little success playing for his high school team. In his final year of secondary school his coach moved him to center. The position changed offered a whole new world of opportunities for Aksel. He had the ability to make creative plays, unforuntately his offense and defensive play took some time to develop. However he was very strong at face offs, which continues to be his strength through his VHLM career. After his high school career ended Aksel received some terrible news. His father Niklas had passed away, which led Aksel to step away from the game for several years. He spent those years exercising other options then hockey as a career. He began studying to become a nurse, but half way through his second year something changed his mind. He signed up to play college hockey and decided to take his dad’s old number 19.
Aksel playing hockey with his father Niklas.
VHL/VHLM Career
After one season playing college hockey Aksel Thomassen was scouted by the Moscow Red Wolves and ultimately claimed off waivers. Thomassen instantly became Moscows number 1 center and posted respectable numbers in his first VHLM season. He posted 21 goals, 72 assists and 93 points. His strengths we’re his skating and playmaking ability. These attributes quickly caught the attention of Meute GM Frank Chadwick, who saw Thomassen play during the Season 38 VHLM playoffs. Frank Chadwick signed Thomassen to an entry level deal making him no longer eligible for the Season 39 VHL draft. During the off season Aksel spent much of his time working on face offs and his shooting. As the Season 39 VHLM draft approached rumblings were that Aksel would be taken 1st overall. This came as bit of a shock to Aksel, considering his lack of experience compared to other draftees. Sure enough the Ottawa Lynx made Aksel Thomassen the 1st overall selection in the Season 39 VHLM draft. Unfortunately that selection has not worked out for Ottawa thus far as Thomassen has regressed parts of his game. One bright spot has been his face offs, he currently leads his team with a 66 winning percentage. “We know what kind of player we drafted we just need Aksel to find his game again.” His coach said in a press release. Aksel is playing at barely a point per game pace which has caused some to scratch their heads over how high he was selected in the VHLM draft.
Aksel Thomassen during a game in Ottawa.
Pros +
Aksel Thomassen has shown thus far in his career that he is very creative with the puck and loves feeding his teammates. He also excels at face offs.
Skating – Since starting off as a goalie in high school Aksel has always been an exceptional skater. This gives him an advantage over most players his age. The old saying goes the best skater on the team always has to be the goalie. Well if Thomassen is on your team then that rings true for your center and goalie. He has great balance mixed with a long stride, he is not elusive by any means but his stride allows him to play a 200 foot game. With his skating and improved defensive play he could easily be a top two-way center.
Face Offs – Face offs have always been a strength of his, since playing center in his final year of secondary school. According to Aksel he has modelled his face off style after NHLer Many Malholtra. Malholtra has become known as a face off specialist at the NHL level in the later years of his career. Aksel uses more of a technique then brute strength to win face offs and thus far in his career it has worked out nicely for him. He has posted a 66 winning percentage in face offs this season for the Lynx.
Puck Handling – Probably the most eye catching part of his game is the way he dangles through defenders. He definitely has the creativity and prowess to drive to the net, unfortunately at this stage in his development he is missing the strength and finish. According to certain reports out of Quebec, it was one of Aksel’s breakaway goals in Season 38 that sold Frank Chadwick on his skill set.
Cons -
Though Thomassen has many strengths he is still not a complete player and has many areas that need to be improved. His two-way game is almost non-existent and he can easily be knocked off the puck.
Defense – Last season Thomassen’s defensive play was hidden by his high plus rating. Season 39 however has exposed him on a highly offensive team. Thomassen has lacked the hockey IQ away from the puck for some time now and it’s starting to catch up with him. He’ll need to improve his positioning and the way he reads the play if he wants to be a complete player.
Scoring – Based off most scouting reports we’ve read Aksel has one of the weakest shots in his draft class. The assumption is that his shooting will improve with his strength. Either way it’s going to be an area that needs improvement. In Season 38 he posted under 30 goals which is not stellar for a high profile prospect.
Strength - Thomassen currently weighs in at just under 190, standing around 6 foot 3 inches tall. He is definitely slender for his height and will need to put on a good 10 to 20 pounds to be effective at center. If he can’t gain enough weight he may be more useful on the wing. Quebec has a state of the art work out regimen, that should allow him to meet their goal of fitness and get him to where he needs to be.
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