Claimed:Kurri Becoming a Consistent Scoring Threat [Final 6/6]

[nikkurri17 109]

Kurri Finding The Net Often



Kurri celebrates an Americans goal

Over the course of Niklas Kurri's VHL career thus far, The two-way forward hasn't shown much of a scoring touch. While Kurri has been able to produce respectable scoring numbers, The Finnish forward has never been among his teams offensive leaders. Kurri has seen a steady rise in his production throughout his VHL career and he may have truly broken out offensively this season. Kurri posted 16 goals and 36 points during his rookie season with Seattle. The following season Kurri moved over to The Quebec City Meute and improved his statistics to 21 goals and 47 points. Critics attributed his increase in scoring to the quality of his line-mates and an increase in ice-time. Tis season Kurri has proven those critics to be wrong.

Before the current VHL season, Niklas Kurri joined The New York Americans. The Americans were considered a rebuilding franchise and the move seemed like a very odd choice on Kurri's end. Not only was Kurri going to be playing with less experienced teammates, there was no guarantee that Kurri would see the same amount of playing time he had become accustomed to in Quebec. Kurri earned a spot on the teams 2nd line and has played there for the entire season.

Kurri lit up the scoring sheet for New York during the pre-season. While his production was more or less on pace with his career averages to start out the season, Niklas has caught fire as of late and improved his scoring pace dramatically. Through the Americans first 16 games this season, Kurri put up 5 goals and added 5 assists. Very respectable numbers considering he was transitioning to a new team and playing with some scrub named Ali Azi or something.. Ali was taken off the teams 2nd line and Edwin Reencarnacion was given the opportunity to skate with Kurri and fellow Finn Jorma Ruutu. Without that bum Ali out there on the ice with them, blowing a ton of chances, Kurri-Ruutu-Reencarnacion have been New York's most effective line.


Kurri and Ruutu during a charity game.

After taking some time to get used to his new surroundings in New York, Kurri has absolutely caught fire. The Americans second line center is currently on a 9 game scoring streak. Over the past 13 games, Kurri has recorded 9 goals and added 10 assists for an impressive total of 19 points. The boost in the two-way forwards offensive production is evident when taking a look at the Americans scoring leaders. Kurri's recent discovery of his scoring touch has resulted in a point per game average throughout the entire season. What makes Kurri's offensive production even more impressive is the fact that overall, New York has had a very tough time finding the net. Kurri is leading New York in goals, points, powerplay goals, powerplay points, shots on goal, hits taken and shot blocks among forwards. Despite his production, the coaching staff continues to play other forwards more frequently.

Only time will tell if Kurri can keep up his scoring pace, or if he's just caught fire and is on a lucky hot streak. On the surface and with his results, Kurri keeps improving every game.

Edited July 20, 2015 by nikkurri17

[Victor 10,943]

I think I might make you my favourite player once Boychuk retires.

[jRuutu 2,464]

Kurri 

 

 

Nice article! 

[Tylar 219]

Content: 3/3 - Nice to see you having success. Your player kinda reminds me of my time with Hodgson. Starting on a rebuilding team and gradually seeing my point totals rise and get better, although I never left Helsinki . Glad to see you enjoying New York! 

Grammar: 2/2 - 
far, The = far, the 
teams offensive = team's offensive
Tis season = This season (Not sure if this is what you meant, or??)

Appearance: 1/1 - Yes

Overall: 6/6

[CoachReilly 688]

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