| Maxim Eliseev | Jokerit U20 | U20 SM | L | RW | 5’10” | 179 | Helsinki | 2005 | 2023-2024: B |
U20 SM-sarja: Jokerit vs Lahti Pelicans, January 15, 2023: Eliseev played both wings and totaled 12:07 in ice time including 1:24 while shorthanded. He did not play on the power play. He used his speed, quickness and and active to be a disruptive penalty killer as he forced Lahti’s players up the ice or recognized when to pressure on bouncing pucks in the defensive zone. At first we thought he was going rogue in the defensive as a killer, but then we realized that he was following the coach’s instructions to not let the the Pelican’s defenders walk to the middle. This type of killing strategy was perfect for Eliseev as he is tenacious and very quick. He had the primary assist on Jokerit’s first goal after he sucked a player to the wall during neutral zone transition and laid a soft back hand pass into space for his linemate. Off of a face-off play in the first period he he showed the awareness to shoot far pad looking for a rebound rather than buzzing one high and wide looking for the highlight reel goal. It was a simple play but it showed his unselfishness, but then in the second period he did take a selfish penalty by ripping the defender’s stick from their hands for no reason while skating through the neutral zone on his way for a change. The Pelicans did not score on the power play, but Jokerit was up 2-0 at the time and it changed some of the momentum.
U18: 5 Nation Tournament, November 8-14, 2022: Maxim is a late birthday and ineligible for the 2023 draft but will certainly factor into the 2024 edition. He is a 5’10 180 pound left shot right winger. Maxim can be described as an energy player and has the bite in his game to be a very good agitating disruptive forward tough to play against. His feet are always moving and he is excellent on the boards fighting through checks to advance the puck. His physicality and energy make him a real pest on the fore check as he is in quick and hunting defensemen down, looking to make hits and play physical. He also showed a real knack with a couple of great open ice hits on opponents. (Marlin Muylaert)
U18 Five Nations: Finland vs Sweden and Finland vs Czechia. November 10 and 12, 2023: Watched Nov 10th (B+) and Nov 12(C+) (Draft Eligible 2023). A very positive player for Finland. He has an explosive step to get to loose pucks or to apply pressure on opposition defensemen. Showed ability to carry the puck wide on defenseman and take it to the net using his edges well to get scoring chances. Does not appear to be a natural finisher. Knows how to angle and forecheck well and he’s persistent in his puck battles. Good penalty killer. Would like to see him drive the net more in straight lines when he does not have the puck…would put a lot of pressure on opposition defense. (Greg Puhalski)
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images