| Joel Maatta | Sioux City Musketeers | USHL | L | F | 6’2″ | 190 | Vermont | Helsinki, FIN | 2002 | 2019-2020: C+ |
Maatta is a former Michigan State commit who has found a landing spot with new Vermont coach Todd Woodcroft. A native of Finland, Maatta has been in the U.S> since last season, when he debuted with Sioux City in the USHL and posted 11 goals and 14 assists in 43 games.
This season he has appeared in 37 games for the Musketeers and has 5 goals and 8 assists.
Maatta has international experience with Finland’s U16, U17 and U18 teams and also played for Finland’s U13 team at the World Selects in 2015.
NZ Scouts: “Maatta is a smart, physical forward for the Musketeers that has really good vision and playmaking ability. The Finnish born forward is strong on his skates and played a hard style of hockey. He finished his hits on the forecheck and out muscled opponents in puck battles. Maatta was extremely effective in the offensive zone for the Musketeers, shielding the puck from defenders with his body and making heads up plays with the puck. He has great vision and utilizes it to set his teammates up or find ways to force the puck to the net. On multiple occasions he was able to lower his shoulder and bully his way to the net front with the puck.”
USHL: Sioux Falls at Sioux City, January 17, 2021: Maatta is a smart, physical forward for the Musketeers that has really good vision and playmaking ability. The Finnish born forward is strong on his skates and played a hard style of hockey. He finished his hits on the forecheck and out muscled opponents in puck battles. Maatta was extremely effective in the offensive zone for the Musketeers, shielding the puck from defenders with his body and making heads up plays with the puck. He has great vision and utilizes it to set his teammates up or find ways to force the puck to the net. On multiple occasions he was able to lower his shoulder and bully his way to the net front with the puck. Overall, Maatta played a strong style of hockey and was effective working in the offensive zone for Sioux City. Grade: A-
Neutral Zone NHL’s Ian Moran’s comments, May 18, 2020: (1) Brain – Smart two way player who is difficult to play against. He maintains defensive side positioning and provides low support for his defense-men at all times. He reads offensive gaps and makes the correct play. We like him. Joel is a strong smart 200′ player. Offensively, he makes the right play and he expects his linemates to do the same. He understands that a soft chip and chase can be a clean zone entry leading to scoring chances later in the shift. He cycles the puck well and uses the net as an extra man to set picks for himself or his linemates. I feel Joel plays a very mature game defensively. He backchecks with a purpose communicating with his defensemen and sticking to the Musketeers’ game plan. When watching a game it is obvious that Joel is coachable and processes what his staff’s expectations are because of his consistency. (2) Vision & Poise – He has the vision and skill set to make offensive plays, but he is smart enough to realize when the odds are in his favor. Joel consistently chooses the correct play rather than take a foolish risk for the 1 in a million highlight real adventure. He is very strong on the puck and seems to enjoy grinding opposing defenders down in the offensive zone. His strength allows him to protect the puck for extended periods while his puck skills and poise allow him confidently make the right plays. Again, he does not look for the hope play. Joel makes the correct play. (3) Feet – Solid base. Good agility. Very quick laterally and accelerates quickly out of a stop. Joel is strong and solid. His low hips and deep knee bend leads me to believe that he will get faster and powerful as he matures and trains. (4) Compete & Effort – Difficult to play against. Joel has sandpaper qualities to his game. A smart 6’2″ and highly competitive player always has chance to play in the NHL. (5) Contact or Physicality – Seems to enjoy finishing his checks and getting opponents off their game. Battles for positioning at both ends of the ice. Joel is strong and only going to get stronger. He can fend the opposition off for extended periods while looking to make plays. Defensively, he closes with speed, eliminating the cycle or clearing shooting lanes with a purpose. (6) Release – Shoots with his head up and can fire it through screens. Joel has a nice first touch that allows him to handle poor passes and settle pucks quickly. (7) One Timer Ability – We did not see Joel attempt any. While not being a “shooter”, Joel has an expanded shooting zone. (8) Body Language – Only Note Extremes. He carries himself like a competitor who likes getting under the skin of his opponents, and he does it well. (9) Special Teams Potential – Can be a second power play goal line or net front option. He is a natural penalty killer. Joel has a good offensive skill set, but I feel his power play potential is as a grinding net front pain in the ass. He will battle for ice and understands how to keep pucks moving / keep plays alive. His strength and willingness to do the little things makes Joel a natural high level penalty killer. (10) Intangibles – He plays hard and is a pest. Scouts usually think of a smaller player who fills that role, but Joel is listed at 6’1 and looks bigger. We like him and think his game translates well to professional hockey. On a side note, we can not believe he is uncommitted. A 6’1 sandpaper gamed Finn who’s averaging about a point a game in the USHL should be getting more attention. He’s playing on a 500% team that is a plus 3 in goal differential…. and he’s plus 3. We feel like there is a lot to like about Joel and he is certainly a player we would like to work with. Joel has a lot of the tools that make a player a successful pro. He seems to enjoy grinding and make the hockey play rather than the highlight play. I feel Joel’s versatility and brain will make him a mid to late round pick, and although it may take some time, he eventually earns an NHL opportunity.
USHL: Sioux Falls vs. Sioux City, December 2019: The big center plays a hard-nosed game, and has a knack for the net. He used his size and strength well, protecting pucks on entries and on the wall, as well as finishing checks following chip-ins. His goal came on a net-front rebound from a point shot, following a great shift with a won draw and battle on the forecheck. He worked hard to win pucks offensively, grinding on the cycle. Also worked hard defensively as the down low guy, and had a blocked shot. Grade: A-