Erlantz Jokinen Junior Review

[jRuutu 2,315]

 

The name Jokinen rings a bell in the heads of those who have followed VHL during the past couple of years. Erlantz Jokinen, just like all the Jokinen's before him, is a defender from Finland. Nobody knows where they keep coming. Nobody knows whether they are related or not. What we do know is that anytime a defender with the surname Jokinen enters the VHLM and VHL - good things are about to happen.

 

Jokinen is an 18-year-old kid from Finland. He was born in a city called Rauma. When he was eight years old, he joined Rauman Lukko and their juniors team. Jokinen's ability to shoot the puck was evident early on. At one point, he was even forbidden from shooting to make the games less one-sided.

 

When Erlantz was 12, he moved to the U-15 team, where he played against mostly 14 and 15-year-old kids. At that point, he was one of the best offensive defenders in his age group in Finland. Jokinen's potential was also recognized by the national team scouts as he was called for his first Pohjola camp at the age of 13.  Pohjola camp is a camp where some of the most talented young players get together to practice and play under the guidance of professional coaches, usually during the off-season.

 

 

Last year was Jokinen's rookie year in Liiga. He played 55 games for Rauman Lukko. Erlantz scored five goals and collected 13 assists. Not bad for a rookie defender who played in a sheltered role.

Jokinen decided to jump to VHLM for S78 instead of playing one more season in Liiga before entering the VHL draft. Jokinen himself saw the opportunity to play in North America as important for two reasons. The North-American style of hockey is one and Covid second. The highest league in Finland has a higher chance to stop the season early when comparing to the biggest league in the world.

 

Despite a positive rookie year in Liiga last year, Erlantz still needs to work on his physicality and skating. One of the reasons why Erlantz had to play in a sheltered role was because he did not have the physicality to compete with grown men.  Jokinen is also one of the slowest players to accelerate. Once he gets moving he is decent, but otherwise - oh man.

 

Jokinen's biggest strength as a player is his understanding of the game. Great offensive instincts with a god-given ability to make things happen while holding a stick. The opportunity to play in Yukon for S78 offers Erlantz the chance to focus on his weaknesses while playing big minutes.