| Emil Jarventie | SaiPa | Liiga | L | C | 5’10” | 169 | Tampere, FIN | 2005 | 2022-2023: B |
Liiga: SaiPa vs Pelicans Lahti. February 3, 2023: Jarventie totaled 12:34 in ice time including 0:08 while on the power play. He did not play while short handed. The undersized left shot forward played primarily left wing. We liked how he scanned the ice and was well prepared to make quick tape to tape passes before the puck was on his stick. SaiPa played a patient forechecking system choosing to only pressure play when it was a clear 50/50 loose puck. This system allowed us to see that Jarventie understood how to play the lines by forcing opponents about 4′ before the redline or offensive blueline. It’s a little thing, but this ice awareness will allow him to use his quickness and offensive instincts to be a penalty killer in North America. As a seventeen year old there were times when he was outmuscled or easily moved out of net front shooting lanes, but we like how he consistently tried to position his hips under his opponent’s while engaging for battle. As he gains strength and power this habit / technique will allow him to win ice from larger opponents. He finished the game +1 with 0 points, 1 shot (from offensive blueline), 0 hits, received 1 hard body check and he had 1 shot blocked when he attempted to create an opportunity on a 1on4 (yes 1v4).
U18: Finland vs Czechia. December 29, 2022: Jarventie totaled 14:46 in ice time including 3:29 while on the power play. He did not play while shorthanded. The left shot played the right mid-wall on the top power play and we immediately noticed his poise as the first time he was to receive the puck it took a bad bounce over his stick to the wall. Rather than sprinting to the puck with his eyes down to make a hurried decision, Jarventie maintained eye contact with the penalty killer’s body positioning while he sprinted to the puck which allowed him to make a 10′ backhand sauce pass to the top of the umbrella. The pass trapped the killer along the mid-wall and allowed for a grade “A” opportunity from the weakside. He attempted two onw-timers while on the power play. Both were not rockets, but he showed an expanded shooting zone and the footwork to slide laterally as the pass was headed his way. Jarventie had the primary assist on a Team Finland 5on3. On the play he showed quickness and anticipation as he jumped on a rebound before anyone else on the ice knew where the puck was. He was on for a goal against where we would have liked to have seen more intensity on a 50/50 puck his high slot. Yes the puck took an unexpected bounce off the glass stanchion to end up in the slot, but Jarventie was standing in coverage with his stick parallel to the ice. He finished the game -1 with 1 primary 5on3 power play assist, 5 shots, 4 PP shots, 4 grade “A” opportunities, 0 hits, had 2 shots blocked, 6 giveaways, 2 takeaways and he won 60% of his 5 puck battles. Jarventie loves backhand sauce.
U18: 5 Nation Tournament, November 8-14, 2022: Emil was a valuable left shot left winger for this Finnish team. A bit on the smaller side at present approaching 5’10 and 167 pounds so he will have to add strength to his frame and hope he can squeeze out another inch or two if he is to handle a pro schedule. He shows lots of scoring prowess in both viewings at this tournament. He is a very good skater, excellent when pushing the puck up ice and using lateral mobility to find open ice to attack, and he has acceleration and can quickly change pace and get by defenders. His passes are quick, have zip and are accurate and his shot while not overpowering, fools goalies due to his quick release. He is both a prospect that can score or set up goals. Late in the game against Sweden and trailing by one goal he caught a royal road pass to the side of the net and flat out wired a one time slap shot to tie the game up. He is a combination of speed and skill.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images