Mikko Tuomala Scouting Report

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Height: 6'2"

Weight: 215 lbs

Position: Defenseman

Age: 20

Team: Halifax 21st

Hometown: Tampere, Finland

Playing Style Comparison: Alex Pietrangelo

 

Mikko Tuomala is a two-way defenseman who has garnered attention with his combination of size, mobility, and hockey IQ. Tuomala uniquely positions himself through TPE growth in defensive areas with roundedness added on offensive skills. Despite going undrafted by missing the draft cut off, Tuomala has found his path to professional hockey, signing with Halifax 21st, a move that showcases his potential and hope to improve with increased playing time. His playing style is heavily influenced by Alex Pietrangelo, a defenseman known for his ability to contribute at both ends of the ice, and Tuomala strives to emulate Pietrangelo defensive steadiness, powerplay time during his prime, physical play.

 

Strengths

 

Size and Physicality: At 6'2" and 215 lbs, Tuomala is the ideal size for a modern defenseman. He is physically imposing and uses his body effectively in battles along the boards and in front of the net. Tuomala isn’t afraid to get physical, leveraging his size to outmuscle opponents and protect the puck. His strength and checking allow him to clear the crease and win puck battles, making him a reliable defender in his own end.

 

Hockey IQ: Tuomala’s understanding of the game is one of his standout traits. His positioning is excellent, allowing him to read the play and anticipate opposing attacks, and this is reflected in his value of offensive vision and defensive coverage. He rarely gets caught out of position, and his awareness in the defensive zone minimizes the chances for high-quality shots from opponents. Offensively, Tuomala has a knows when to join the rush or support the play from the blue line, much like his idol Pietrangelo.

 

Puck Handling and Passing: Tuomala is an efficient puck moving defenseman, capable of making crisp breakout passes to create an odd man rush out of his own end. His calm demeanor under pressure allows him to avoid turnovers, and make smart and efficient plays to transition the puck up the ice. His passing is a major asset, as he often makes precise outlet passes to forwards in stride, jumpstarting the offense, a rare skill for a defenseman of his experience.

 

Skating: Despite his size, Tuomala is a smooth skater. His mobility allows him to cover large areas of the ice quickly, making him effective in both defensive coverage and offensive transitions. He can get back on defense after a rush, or join in on the rush as needed because of his speed.

 

Shot: Tuomala a heavy shot from the point, which he uses effectively on the power play and in offensive zone situations. While not a prolific scorer, his ability to get pucks on net through traffic creates rebound opportunities for his teammates. His slap shot is a much greater point of focus for him so far in his development, which could make him a useful tool for a team that needs a PP quarterback from the point.

 

Areas for Improvement

 

Consistency in Offensive Contributions: While Tuomala has shown promise offensively, his production in simulations will likely be nconsistent. He could benefit from improving his wrist shot and offensive vision, though has shown less willingness to prioritize this over defensice play. His passing, while good for his experience level, could also use some work.

 

Physical Play Discipline: Though his physicality is a strength, Tuomala's discipline could use some work, which may create ecessary penalties. Finding a balance between being tough and discipline will be key to avoiding trips to the box, especially in situations late in the game.

 

Outlook

Mikko Tuomala has the foundational skills to develop into a reliable, top-four defenseman at the professional level. His size, mobility, and hockey sense make him an attractive asset, particularly for a team like Halifax 21st that values two-way defensemen, and needed a fourth defenseman after the draft. With continued development, particularly in his offensive vision, discipline, and further defensive development Tuomala could carve out a long and successful career in the VHLM, and soon after, the VHL, modeling his game after a similarly sized defenseman in Alex Pietrangelo.

Edited October 7 by flyersfan345
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