Teravainen, Teuvo Teravainen

Photo by Maggie Avila

Unlike James Bond Teravainen is too young to have martinis let alone a preference of them shaken and not stirred. He is however old enough and skilled enough to leave his opponents both shaken and stirred. Bond may have flashy tools like Aston Martins and Walther PPKs but make no mistake Teravainen has lethal weapons at his disposal as well like slick puck handling skills, deceptive speed and a disarming shot.

Teravainen is currently playing for the Finnish team in the IIHF World Junior U20 Championships. Finland, Sweden, Canada and the US have been playing pre-tournament contests in Helsinki, Finland to prep for the WJC in Ufa, Russia. Early and I do mean early Saturday morning the USA played Finland in one of these tune up games which saw Finland pummeling on the US 5-1.

The US had way to many penalties which could just be an adjustment to European officiating which is called much tighter than in the US and Canada. Teuvo fueled the Finnish power play with a assist and a goal. He has a skating style that is smooth and he has poise with the puck and does not panic.

Finland uses Teravainen on the point in their power play like a quarterback which saw him generating offense with the goal and an assist. Somehow you have to believe that the Blackhawk scouts and brass are delighted as the Blackhawks can certainly use more fire power on their power play.

Teravainen still needs some physical development before he is NHL ready but don’t let his size fool you he is an elusive skater and does not take many direct hits. He kept up with the more physical USA & Canadian teams. He has great on ice vision which explains why Finland would have him on the power play. He opens up the ice and his soft hands and stick handling skills are already NHL ready.

I got a chance to see Teuvo this past summer at the Blackhawks prospect camp and there is no question this guy has all the tools and offensive skills that can help the Hawks. He is the real deal. His skating is very smooth with long strides and his shots are very accurate always making their way to the net. If Teravainen has any areas to work on it is the same as all young players in the defensive zone but he will be a star for sure.

The Blackhawks brass has to be pinching themselves that they were even able to get someone like Teravainen fall to them in the draft where he did. One can only dream what he will do with Toews, Kane, Sharp and Hossa.

Blackhawk fans watch Teuvo Teravainen play for team Finland in the IIHF U20 WJC you will be impressed with his overall game and talents. Finland just could be the dark horse in this tournament. Good Luck to Teuvo in the tournament.