Drafted as a late round pick in 2016, Aepeli Rasanen is a prospect that has flown under the radar a little bit with Oilers fans, but one that is still worth noting. While still a long-term project, there is potential for Rasanen to develop into a two-way center provided that he continues to work on his game while also making the most of his time with Boston College. Rasanan just wrapped up his first season with Boston College, where he put up four goals and 12 assists for 16 points in 32 games played. Heading into his sophomore season, one would expect that he will earn more minutes and a larger role with his college team, and it will be very interesting to see how he handles the challenge. 
Position: Centre — Shoots: Right
Born: June 1st, 1998 — City: Tampere, Finland
Height: 6 feet 0 inches — Weight: 208 lbs [183 cm/94 kg]
Drafted: 153rd overall (6th Round) in the 2016 NHL Draft
College Team: Boston College — League: NCAA

NEWS AND SCOUTING REPORTS

There is no rush for Rasanen. He just wrapped up his first season at Boston College finishing with 16 points in 32 games. He’s become a big part of the Finnish National Program and has managed to contribute offensively at the international level. Rasanen will likely get two more years in college before the Oilers even consider giving him a pro look.
Last season, his first at Boston College, Räsänen performed well and recorded four goals and 16 points in 32 games. He also had a solid performance at the WJC with four goals in five games. He has been a consistent performer at an international tournament the past couple years and is improving his offensive consistency in season play. The Oilers are going to patient with young Finnish forward and there is still plenty of time for him to keep improving as he just turned 20 in June.
Rasanen is a hard-working right-shot two-way center who plays a sound game in the defensive zone and doesn’t mind sacrificing his body to make plays, as he is willing to engage in one and one battles. He’s got an active defensive stick, can cause turnovers and is a quite good penalty killer. Rasanen’s skating is only average, he can bring the puck up ice and has good enough vision to make plays. His puck skills are just OK and despite the improvement in his offensive game it is more realistic to project him as a checking forward at the next level, as he lacks a dynamic element to his game.

PRE-DRAFT RANKINGS

  • Ranked #135 by HOCKEYPROSPECT.COM
  • Ranked #59 by FUTURE CONSIDERATIONS
  • Ranked #157 by ISS HOCKEY
  • Ranked #93 by MCKEEN’S HOCKEY
  • Ranked #21 by NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING (EU Skaters)

VIDEO AND HIGHLIGHTS

Once again, Edmonton Future Watch put together a wonderful compilation of Rasanen’s highlights from his 2017-18 season at Boston College:
Here is a nice look at Rasanen’s work at the 2016 U18 tournament:
A very nice goal by Rasanen for Boston College from this past season:

SEASON STATS

SEASONTEAMLEAGUEGPGATPPIM+/-PGPGATPPIM+/-
2011-12
Tappara U16
Jr. C SM-sarja Q
6
4
6
10
6
Tappara U16
Jr. C SM-sarja
12
5
3
8
4
11
4
0
4
14
2012-13
Tappara U16 “C”
Jr. C SM-sarja Q
5
5
8
13
4
Tappara U16
Jr. C SM-sarja
11
5
6
11
34
Tappara U18
Jr. B SM-sarja
17
4
3
7
8
3
1
0
1
0
2013-14
Tappara U16
Jr. C SM-sarja Q
1
1
3
4
0
Tappara U16
Jr. C SM-sarja
2
1
3
4
2
Tappara U18
Jr. B SM-sarja
36
16
21
37
54
3
1
1
2
4
Finland U16 (all) “C”
International-Jr
11
3
2
5
10
4
2014-15
Tappara U20
Jr. A SM-liiga
41
5
7
12
22
-5
Finland U17
WHC-17
6
0
4
4
4
Finland U17 (all) “C”
International-Jr
24
7
12
19
28
0
2015-16
Tappara U18
Jr. B SM-sarja
0
0
0
0
0
3
3
0
3
2
Tappara U20 “A”
Jr. A SM-liiga
50
19
19
38
26
17
3
1
0
1
0
-1
Finland U18
WJC-18
7
3
6
9
12
8
2016-17
Sioux City Musketeers
USHL
38
7
18
25
30
21
13
2
2
4
12
3
Finland U20
WJC-20
6
2
4
6
2
-1
Finland U20 (all)
International-Jr
16
5
5
10
18
-1
2017-18
Boston College
NCAA
32
4
12
16
45
7
Finland U20
WJC-20
5
4
0
4
4
1
Finland U20 (all)
International-Jr
11
4
3
7
14

TEAM STATS

SEASONTEAMLEAGUEGPGATPPIM+/-
2010-11
Finland Selects U13
QC Int PW
4
2
8
10
0
2014-15
Finland U17
EYOF
3
5
5
10
2
10
2015-16
Finland U18
Hlinka Gretzky Cup
5
0
3
3
2
-2

Previously:

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