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Joakim Kemell Scouting Report: 2022 NHL Draft #5

Joakim Kemell Scouting Report

Welcome back to Top Shelf Prospects, the daily column that brings you the next crop of professional hockey players. Each day I will bring you a new player profile or topical article in the lead-up to the 2022 NHL Draft. Be sure to bookmark the site, follow me on Twitter, and spread the word for the site that will bring you analytical and critical profiles and scouting reports! Last Word On Hockey Prospects is your new headquarters for everything “NHL Draft”! We have a complete listing of our draft articles here. Today we bring you our Joakim Kemell Scouting Report. 

Finnish winger Joakim Kemell had a real coming-out party at the 2022 Under-18 World Hockey Championships. He scored six goals and two assists for eight points in five games, helping the Finnish team to the bronze medal. Kemmel was also named a top-three player on the team. The excellent tournament performance came after a strong rookie season in the SM Liiga. Playing for JYP, he scored 15 goals and eight assists for 23 points in 39 games. Kemell led all SM Liiga rookies in goals. He was also named to the Finnish team at the World Juniors, but the tournament was postponed due to COVID.

In 2020-21, Kemell spent the majority of his time in the Finnish U20 league. He scored 22 goals and 14 assists for 36 points in 38 games. He also put up three goals and three assists for six points in two games in the Under-18 league. Kimmell also made his SM Liiga debut with JYP and also scored his first goal in the league. As an underage player, he represented Finland at the Under-18 World Championships, putting up three goals in seven tournament games.

Joakim Kemell Scouting Report

Right Wing — shoots Right
Born April 27th, 2004 — Jyvaskylan mlk, Finland
Height 5’11” — Weight 176 lbs [180 cm/80 kg]

Skating

Kemell’s skating is a bit of a work in progress. His stride is a little bit choppy and awkward. This takes away from the speed and power that he is able to generate. He is merely average in these areas. His edgework and agility are above average though. This helps him to get open and move through traffic both with and without the puck. Kemell needs to get stronger in his lower body as well. This will improve his balance. It will help him to fight through checks and take the puck to the net. It will also help him to win battles on the boards and fight for position in front of the net.

Offensive Game

Kemell is a pure sniper. He has an outstanding arsenal of shots. His one-timers are absolutely lethal. Kemell is able to get it off even if the pass is a little off. He also has an outstanding wrist shot. It is both powerful and accurate. Kemell also shows a quick and deceptive release. He is able to toe-drag the puck and let it go, fooling goaltenders. Kemell is also able to score in tight to the net. His quick hands are able to deflect pucks and pounce on rebounds. Kemell can deke a goalie in tight and beat him in close.

Kemell is also skilled as a playmaker. He has good hands and is able to make quick moves to open up passing and shooting lanes. He is also accurate with his passes and has shown the ability to make tape-to-tape passes through tight areas. However, he needs to read the play better. He does not always take the best pass that is available, keeping the puck on the outside, instead of setting up a scoring chance. Kemell is willing to play physical on the forecheck and in battles for pucks on the boards. This aspect of his game will become more effective as he gets stronger.

Defensive Game

Kemell is willing to work on the backcheck and plays a physical game. He provides good back pressure against the rush as well as supporting the defence down low against the cycle. Kemell’s size can be an issue though, as he struggles to contain bigger opponents. His positioning and anticipation are good.  He uses his active stick to cut down passing lanes and create turnovers. When a turnover is created, Kemell is quick to move the puck up the ice. He has not gotten a lot of time on the penalty kill, but that is not unusal considering that he is a young player on a men’s league team.

Projection and Comparison

Kemell has some things to work on in his game, but most of his flaws can be corrected with by adding some muscle to his frame as well as good coaching. If he can work with the right skating instructor and improve his stride, he could be dynamic. He likely will spend another year in Europe before coming to North America. He might also need some AHL time. The potential here is high though. Kemell can do the one thing that is hard to teach and that is score goals. If he reaches his ceiling he can be a first-line winger and an important player on the power play. Kemell’s game is reminiscent of Patrick Laine. This is a stylistic comparison only and not one based on his skill and ability.

Highlights

The following is a compilation of some of the highlight packages and features of Joakim Kemell that are available on youtube and Twitter.

Check back tomorrow for our latest draft article.

 

Joakim Kemell Scouting Report Main Photo:

Embed from Getty Images

LAUSANNE, SWITZERLAND – JANUARY 22: Joakim Kemell of Finland is challenged by Mats Lindgren of Canada during the Men’s 6-Team Ice Hockey Tournament Finals Bronze Medal Game between Canada and Finland on day 13 of the Lausanne 2020 Winter Youth Olympics at Lausanne Vaudoise Arena on January 22, 2020 in Lausanne, Switzerland. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)

Ben Kerr

Ben Kerr

Ben is a credentialed sports writer from just outside Toronto, Canada. A lawyer, he has a highly analytical approach to writing. Ben is the COO of Last Word On Sports INC. Most of his writing can be found in the hockey department, though he follows and writes on other sports as well.

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