Flames Top 25 Under 25: #23 – Eetu Tuulola

#23: Eetu Tuulola

Position: Right Wing

Age: 21

Team: HPK Hameenlinna (Liiga)

Drafted 2016, 6th Round, Pick 156

Last Year Ranking: #24

The Flames decided to sign Eetu Tuulola last month to his ELC after he had a strong year with HPK Hameenlinna of the Finnish Liiga. Tuulola scored 13 goals and 36 points in 60 games for Hameenlinna, along with 6 points in 18 playoff games as they won the championship despite coming into the playoffs as heavy underdogs.

Tuulola has been playing the role of a power forward over the last couple seasons, and doing it successfully. He’s been able to use his size to make plays down low, get to the dirty areas in front of the net, and finish checks. He’s been able to utilize all of his 6’3 225 lbs frame to protect the puck and generate plays for his team. The biggest area of Tuulola’s game that continues to need improvement is his foot speed and skating.

He has definitely seen some improvements in his game since transitioning to the professinal game in Finland, and should continue to develop his game. If he can get a bit faster, he may really start to take off. It’s still not totally clear if Tuulola will come back to North America for the upcoming season or if he’ll be given some more time in Finland.

by Michael MacGillivray