2019 NHL Draft Profile – Lassi Thomson

Lassi Thomson impressed in his first season in North America, appearing in 63 games with the Kelowna Rockets in which he recorded 17 goals and 41 points, earning him a spot on the WHL Western Conference Second All-Star Team. On the international stage, the budding rearguard picked up a gold medal with Team Finland at the 2018 IIHF Under-18 World Championship after notching two points in seven games. Thomson is the 15th-ranked North American skater in NHL Central Scouting’s Final Draft Rankings.

Thomson describes himself as an offensive player and compares his playing style to fellow Finnish blue-liner and Portland Winterhawks graduate Henri Jokiharju. In fact, it was Jokiharju who pushed Thomson to leave his native Finnish junior league and join the Western Hockey League. Thomson’s offseason goal is to build up the physical side of his game.

“Shoots and passes like a pro,” writes Sportsnet’s Sam Cosentino. “Great skating ability allows him to transition well and consistently be a part of the rush.”