Karl Pedersen Speaks on Junior Showcase, Potential Move to North America

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Karl Pedersen Speaks on Junior Showcase, Potential Move to North America

 

Karl Pedersen is a new on the block prospect who is making some waves in the VHL scouting circles. Originally Pedersen was not planning on making the jump over to the VHL and was hoping to play in some exclusively European hockey leagues but when he was selected, rather unexpectedly, to play in the Junior Showcase tournament he started to pop up on scouts draft boards across the VHL and its affiliated leagues.

 

The imposing Danish goaltender, measuring in at a hefty 6’5 and 233 lbs., played a very solid Junior Showcase tournament on his way to leading the team to a fourth place finish. While he almost certainly would have liked to have had a better result he had the following to say about the experience.

 

‘It was really great to get exposed to that level of competition within the Junior Showcase Tournament. It truly is the best of the best when it comes to young hockey talent and I think playing in it has definitely opened up some opportunities down the line. I’ve had some scouts coming to my practices and some teams in the VHLM and VHLE have reached out to me. It is definitely an exciting time for me.’

 

Pedersen has played many games for the Danish Junior National team

 

While many scouts are saying that Pedersen is a very raw prospect they are excited to see what he can do when he makes the jump over to the VHLM next year. As it currently stands there are a couple of other top end goaltending prospects, in Matt Murdock and Henry Tucker Jr., that will be vying to be high picks next season. From there it is up to whichever team selects Pedersen to turn his raw talent into something more polished and VHL ready.

 

‘I cannot wait to get onto a team and get into their training facilities.’ Pedersen said when asked about where he could possibly end up. ‘Here is Denmark hockey definitely has some interest but it is obviously at a completely different level once you can get into those pro level training programs. I don’t really have any preference on where I would like to end up in the VHLM but I am very excited about making the move over to North America. I’ve never been over there and while it won’t be the best being separated from my family I know that if I can make the VHL my family will be very well taken care of.’

 

As it currently stands Pedersen is looking like a possible top five pick but has some tough competition ahead of him. On the official TSN rankings they have him currently ranked as the seventh best prospect and the third best goalie. While goalies have been in very high demand within the VHL in recent times there is quite a crop of young netminders coming through the rankings that are looking to make an impact on the league sooner rather than later, and Pedersen may need to step up his game if he wants to be considered one of those types of prospects.

 

Be sure to tune in to the VHL, VHLE and VHLM entry drafts which should all be happening this week if you want to see where Karl Pedersen, as well as many other top prospects, will start their rise to the top of the VHL.