A highly-skilled forward who plays with a lot of speed and skill…uses his speed to jet down the wing and beat defenders along the outside…is a hard player to contain with his speed and although he isn’t huge he protects the puck well and is able to drive the net from the outside…has all of the offensive tools: great speed, great puck-skills and stick-skills, able to handle the puck at top speed and make plays, protects the puck well, sees the ice well, possesses a quick, accurate wrist shot and is offensively creative….there are times where he holds the puck for too long and should learn to keep it simple, but however he chooses to make plays he usually succeeds in making them…smart to avoid size barriers, but doesn’t shy away from the net front or corners…plays as if he is the energizer bunny on full charge, constantly moving his feet and in a dodgy manner…has top six potential thanks to the intelligence that makes his skill level so effective.

Heponiemi is a dynamic playmaker. He can use his great skating ability to push the pace and create chances off the rush. He also has the top-level vision to see plays develop from a slower pace and make the difficult feeds. Heponiemi has above-average stick skills, and though he isn’t a very dangerous shooter, overall he’s a dangerous offensive weapon. Detractors will point to his 5-foot-10 frame, and that he isn’t very physical. I think he’s OK defensively, and given his high hockey IQ, I think he’ll find a way to survive.

Aleksi Heponiemi is a smaller forward who is highly skilled offensively. He is a great skater who has excelled and has benefitted from the run and gun offensive style of play of the Swift Current Broncos. He needs to add size and strength to his slight frame to be able to help him round out his game. He has also excelled with special teams this year, as having more open ice has allowed him to display his puck skills and abilities. He is more of a playmaking center who plays around the perimeter, and has also played alongside the Broncos’ leader and top player Tyler Steenbergen. Heponiemi has all of the skills necessary to help him get noticed and drafted, but his biggest drawback is his size. Aside from that, he needs to improve his defensive zone play and positioning, but if he adds some size he could develop into a bottom six player at the pro level.

Puck wizard with ridiculous hands whose 86 points tied Nico Hischier for most points by a first-year CHL import. He’s an accurate passer who can create scoring chances no matter the situation, and 38 of his 58 assists were primary. Getting stronger should be an off-season priority.