Vaakanainen – Veteran Presence

[Jubo 1,839]

Now at the quarter mark of his third VHL season, Valtteri Vaakanainen has been moving his way up the Helsinki Titans depth chart. Starting out as a left winger gave Vaakanainen the ability to move up and down the lineup during years one and two. His rookie campaign was more of a feeling out process as he spent most of the season on line three. He was able to score 13 goals and added 15 helpers while adding another two points in six playoff games. Valtteri continued as a left winger in his second year and became a prominent member of the Titans top 6 forwards. He was a much more effective member of the offense scoring 38 goals and adding 36 assists for 74 points and a +39. A healthy dose of experience was gained in the playoffs as the Titans fought there way to the finals. In 17 games Vaakanainen amassed 11 goals and 11 assists for 22 points and a +12. The Titans were reaping the rewards of their quick retooling and once again were regarded as a top team in the VHL.

 

Year three for VV is just 17 games old. The Titans found themselves in a need to fill a role down the middle following the retirement of long time Titan Ben Hafkey. Vaakanainen came forward and offered to switch from the wing to center. Through his first 17 games the now centerman has been floating around the 50% mark in the face-off dot and has been scoring at a nice pace with nine goals. At 14 points, Vaakanainen sits near the point per game mark and remains a consistent performer for the Titans.

 

When assessing the Titans competitive window, this is the start of when the club expected to make consistent deep playoff runs. Last season was a bonus and they almost surprised the hockey world by taking an early championship in their retool. Vaakanainen is a big piece moving forward for the club and he hopes his production does not slow any time soon. Being a veteran on the club after what seems like such a short amount of time is something that will sink in as the season progresses. The clubs captain, Erik Summers, is the player most looked up to in locker room and Valtteri hopes to be in his shoes as time passes. The Helsinki Titans are a roster full of offensive and defensive role models ready to earn Helsinki their 12^th Continental Cup championship.

Edited September 24, 2020 by Jubo07

[McWolf 3,115]

are we vets already? wtf time flies