Calgary Flames Young Stars Tournament Takes Off in Penticton

We’ll first look at one of the most anticipated players, the Flames 2017 first-round pick, D Juuso Valimaki.

Juuso Valimaki

Defenseman Juuso Valimaki was drafted at the 16th overall pick this past draft by the Calgary Flames. He’s 18 years old and stands 6’2″ tall and is 212 lbs. Last season with the Tri-City Americans of the WHL, he had 19 goals and 61 points in 60 games. His 61 points put him at seventh among all defensemen in the WHL, he was eighth among all defencemen in powerplay assists (22), was fourth on the team in points, and second on the team in PPA.

The Flames recently signed Valimaki to a three-year Entry Level Contract. After the World Junior Summer Showcase, Team Finland has also announced that Valimaki will be captain of Team Finland at the World Juniors. That’s quite the impressive resume so far for just being drafted.

Related Story: Valimaki Named Captain of Team Finland at the WJC

Flames’ Torie Peterson put him as one of the five players to watch at the Young Stars Classic.

Via Calgaryflames.com:

"The Flames’ 2017 first-round pick has had a remarkable summer thus far. After being selected 16th overall in the NHL draft, he proceeded to turn heads as one of the Flames top propsects at development camp despite being one of the youngest players on the ice. Valimaki then headed off to Michigan for the World Junior Summer Showcase and ended up being named Finland’s captain for the upcoming 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship. Given how well he has performed against his peers, especially over the past couple of months, he could be one of the top blueliners at this year’s Young Stars Classic."

Valimaki will be on the top unit at the blueline alongside Rasmus Andersson. Speaking of Andersson…

Rasmus Andersson

Defenseman Rasmus Andersson was the Calgary Flames 53rd overall pick in the 2015 NHL Entry Level draft. Standing at 6’0″ tall and 214 lbs tall, Andersson’s been praised by scouts for being strong and winning battles against larger players by outworking them.

Via Elite Prospects:

"An offensively active defenceman who works a power dynamic; he is able to win battles against larger opponents through outworking them, and is able to skate with the speediest of smaller opponents. Responsible defensively, but decision making does need some work. All-in-all, an intelligent, hard-working defenceman that is constantly alert in all three zones and willing to do battle with any and all opponents. (Curtis Joe, EP 2014)"

Calgary Flames

A former downside to Andersson before he was drafted is that he doesn’t have a lot of speed, however, he has been working on that the last few years and going pro last year definitely helped him. In 2015-16, he led all OHL defensemen in points with 60 while he was playing with the Barrie Colts and sporting the “A” on his jersey. He also led all defensemen in assist with 51. He was also 11th among all skaters in assists. During the playoffs, his 15 points in 15 games again led him among all defensemen.

Going pro last year, he joined the Flames farm-team, the Stockton Heat. He had 22 points in 54 games and finally got that pro-experience. He also made his NHL debut late in the season but couldn’t find his name on the scoresheet.

Let’s look at one more defenseman before moving on.

Josh Healey

The Calgary Flames signed NCAA free agent Josh Healey in March to a two-year, two-way deal. He’s not the tallest or the heaviest guy in the world (6’0″, 196 lbs), but he sure knows how to hit. In fact, he hits so hard that NHL scouts have even said that he belongs in Pro because he hits too hard at the college level.

Healey’s been playing with Ohio State University the last four years but reported to the Heat on an ATO when his season ended. This past season with Ohio State and sporting the “A” on his jersey, he had 25 points in 35 games. But racked up 70 PIM.

Flames’ Torie Peterson also put him as one of the five players to watch at the tournament.

Via Calgaryflames.com:

"If someone is going to set a physical tone at the Young Stars Classic, it is the Ohio State alumnus. Healey keeps attackers in check with his bone-crunching hits and aggressive style of play, which led him to 212 PIM over a four-year collegiate career with the Buckeyes. In addition to keeping opponents heads on a swivel, he is a strong puck-mover and can quarterback a powerplay. With his two-year entry-level contract kicking in this fall, the 23-year-old will be looking to get his first professional camp with a bang and this tournament is an ideal setting for the rearguard."

Healey will be on the third pairing tonight alongside prospect Cliff Watson.

Right now, Michael Stone is the fifth defenseman for the Flames, but the team may be rotating the defense prospects to all give them a shot at the NHL level. And with Deryk Engelland’s grit now gone, they could use a player like Healey on that last pairing.