Claimed:Andy "Nikki" Erikson

[kareykoala 62]

                                                        

 

Andrew “Nikki” Erikson

Hometown: Copenhagen, Denmark

Age: 17

Position: LW

Number: 18

Team: UNDRAFTED

Player Type: Playmaker

 

PRE-DRAFT PROFILE

  Andrew Niklas Erikson has popped up on the radar very recently as he was a player thought to be not ready for the high pedigree skill of the VHLM, but through recent valiant efforts and playing a key role in Denmark’s recent entrance into the 2015 World Junior Championships, heads have been turning in his direction and eyes have been set on the young Dane. There is much to still scrutinize in his game and although his hockey IQ is quite high, his physical presence is far from daunting. 

  Andy “Nikki” Erikson, is expected to be taken in the later half of the draft as many scouts are still unsure of his ability to play on the small ice but with his brains and tenacity, if a team were to take a chance at him, he could very well become the centrepiece of that team and propel them into VHLM success for years to come.

  A natural leader on an off the ice, regardless of talent outcome, expect Andrew to have a bountiful future of hockey, either as a player, or working in the front office in someway. 

 

 

 

“It is not every day that a player with this unique set of qualities come around and it is going to be really fun tracking the career of the Danish wonder child.” - Nicholas Miller (former star centre of the New York Americans turned international scout)

 

NICHOLAS MILLER AT HIS PRESSER UPON RETIRING FROM THE NY AMERICANS. CHEIF SCOUT FOR DANISH HOCKEY

 

 

 

----------------------------------------------------------------------

 

PLAY STYLE

  Andrew plays a game very similar to NHL star, Henrik Sedin. Both are quiet but strong leaders that require their intelligence and vision to make the play rather than size and speed. They both share an innate ability to find the open teammate and maintain control of the puck along the boards. The difference between Henrik and Andrew, is that Andrew can actually shoot the puck very well and could easily become a sniper in the VHL, but he chooses to pass because he believes it makes the team around him play better in the long run. Time will tell whether Erikson becomes a play maker or a sniper, really depending on the needs of his future team, but with his skill set, expect to see a tonne of helpers rack up on the score sheet.

 

HENRIK SEDIN (22) FIGHTING OFF ANDREW ERIKSON (6) IN AN EXHIBITION FRIENDLY BETWEEN SWEDEN AND DENMARK

 

 

----------------------------------------------------------------------

 

PROS

 

PASSING: An elite level vision of the ice is a must for any superstar player. Andrew, although being quite a young and raw player, has a spectacular awareness of the play as well as the softest of touches with the puck. Finding the open seam is one of the finer qualities to his game and stands as the major reason he has been making heads turn in the past few weeks leading up to the Dispersal Draft. Do not expect a dazzling breakaway or clapper from the point on his highlight reel, rather, expect a strong wrist shot interspersed between a barrage of creative no-look passes, saucer passes, and behind the back plays leading to quality scoring chances. 

 

 

LEADERSHIP: Cut him open and he will bleed out the colours of his team. Andrew Erikson exemplifies what a leader on the ice looks like. Although lacking in size, there is no lack of grit, courage, and mental toughness to his game and though is voice is soft, it is felt in that locker room. A “C” adoring the top-left space above the jersey’s crest has no better home than on Andrew’s sweater as he is the heart and soul of every team he plays for, he is the voice that speaks up when all others are hushed, he is the last one up when everybody falls as he ensures everybody gets up first. 

 

WORK ETHIC: Andrew possesses a never say die mentality when he approaches life and hockey. To merely give up or lose heart is so far out of his vernacular, that the concept is foreign to him. He is the first one on the ice and the last one off every day, his play along the boards or in front of the net show his inability to cower away from any opponent, and if the team is caught on an odd man rush defensively, he is giving it his all to make it back into the play. Give him 25 minutes a game or give him 3, regardless of his role, he will give it his all.

 

 

 

 

CONS 

 

CHECKING: Defensively, Andrew relies on his skating and body position to make the defensive play rather than playing a good checking game. Because of his stature and overall love of playing a puck game close to the body, Andrew’s stick is quite short in comparison to the average defensemen. With that, Andrew is often a liability if being asked to play a role relying on him having an active stick defensively as he can easily be caught out of position if attempting a poke-check.

 

SIZE: Height is not an issue for Erikson, it is the fact that he is lanky that is causing problems. Being around 6 ft, Erikson’s height matches well with many other players in the VHL, but with his underdeveloped framed, the displacement of weight Erikson possesses differs from his opponents substantially. Normally, a young player with foot speed like Andrew could capitalize on the lack of excess weight to benefit them offensively and blaze through the defense, but Andrew plays a board heavy game and is often cycling the puck in a puck control offence. The lack of size is an issue because he will easily be rubbed off the puck until he bulks up and resolves the problem.

 

EXPERIENCE: The Danish AAA ice is quite different than the smaller ice of North American leagues. With the lack of experience playing a high tempo, heavy hitting game, Andrew comes at a major disadvantage in comparison to other players entering the Dispersal Draft. Andrew only has become a Danish star in the past year and has only just begun to make some waves with international scouts, but even with the knocks against the young 17 year old, do not count him out as his potential resembles that of some of the most offensively potent superstars the VHL has seen in its storied past.

Edited May 12, 2014 by redoaknebraska

[Guest Svoboda_3]

Content: 5/5

This was such an immaculate Rookie Profile. I'm kind of jealous that you aren't on my team. I think you have an extremely bright future in the VHL because of writing like this. Your profile hit everything that was required and more. Outstanding job.

Grammar: 1/1

later = latter

come = comes

Cheif =Chief

Andrew, is = Andrew is

reel, = reel;

show = shows

Appearance: 1/1

You had good colors, pictures and different fonts.

Over 500 Words? 1/1

1,081 words.

Overall 8/8

[Guest]

Claimed