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Jens Looke may not have the greatest of stat lines with just two goals and six points this season, but the context must be taken into account. He was a 17-year-old playing for Brynass IF in the SHL, Sweden’s highest level of men’s league hockey. Looke saw limited ice-time on the fourth line, and his numbers compare favourably to other top prospects who played in the league at his age. He also played 18 games in the Swedish J20 league, putting up 18 points. Looke has represented his country in a number of international tournaments. He played for Sweden at the World Junior Championships scoring three goals in seven games, and at last summers’ Ivan Hlinka tournament picking up four assists in five games. He also played at the 2015 IIHF U18 World Championships, but had a somewhat disappointing performance, being held pointless. He was drafted in the third round of the 2014 KHL draft by Finnish team Jokerit.
Jens Looke
Right Wing — shoots Right
Born Apr 11 1997 — Gavle, Sweden
Height 6.01 — Weight 180 [185 cm/82 kg]
Jens Looke is an outstanding skater. He has very good top end speed, but it is other aspects of his skating that really set him apart. A long smooth stride gives Looke very good acceleration. He also has very quick feet, with a strong first step, and outstanding agility. He can be extremely dangerous in getting by defenders on the rush, or in slipping by them on the cycle game. His lower body strength and balance are well developped as he is very hard to knock off the puck and Looke does well in board battles.
Jens Looke is a crafty playmaker working off the wing. He has excellent vision, and will make a wide variety of crafty passes. Going forward though he will need to learn that there are limits to the passes he can make, and there are plays he just can’t get make. He will need to sometimes hold onto the puck a little longer, or make a safer play, rather than make the risky play and have a giveaway. Looke also has a very good wrist shot, with an excellent release that can fool goaltenders. He also has a good one-timer. Looke has strong puck handling and puck protection skills, which he uses in conjunction with the excellent skating described above to get by defenders. He does a good job of battling for pucks in the corners and is quick into the zone on the forecheck. Looke will never be known as a physical player, but he does dig in board battles, and he is not afraid to take the hits necessary to make a play. He does need to add some upper body strength to his frame.
Like many Swedish forwards, Jens Looke plays a responsible two-way game. He cuts down passing lanes with a strong, active stick and gets back quickly on the back check. Looke forces plays to the outside and works just as hard on the boards in the defensive zone as he does in the attacking zone. He applies good back pressure and takes away space well. He will need to get better at blocking shots and cutting down shooting lanes to be an effective penalty killer.
Jens Looke has very good offensive potential. He could become a top six scoring winger if he can learn to manage the puck better, and not try as many risky passes in the offensive zone. His game is similar to fellow Swede Jakob Silfverberg of the Anaheim Ducks, though this is a stylistic preview only and not one based on talent.
Below are some highlights of Looke in action.
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