NHL Draft 2014: Vancovuer Canucks select Jake Virtanen with No. 6 overall pick

Virtanen, 17, is a right-handed shooting center who has also spent time on the right wing. Selected with the No. 1 overall pick by the Calgary Hitmen in the 2011 Western Hockey League Bantam draft, Virtanen has dressed in 142 WHL games and registered 109 points (64 goals and 45 assists). Listed at 6’1, 212 pounds, Virtanen is described as a skilled forward who takes advantage of his size in the offensive zone, via the ISS:

Virtanen is an excellent goal scorer with a booming shot, fire in his eyes and a nose for the net. He can be a deceptively crushing force physically at times as well. What holds him back is that he is not always the same player from one game to the next. He can be an insanely competitive and physical force who intimidates opponents with fierce pressure and sheer will to score one minute and then can be an almost timid and shy player who turns the puck over at every turn the next. He has a lot of growing up still to do and that is something that actually works more towards the exciting potential he could one day actually meet and possibly exceed.

Virtanen underwent shoulder surgery at the end of May to repair what his agent described as instability. He is expected to miss four-to-six months while recovering. His agent states that the procedure is a common one for hockey players and that it shouldn’t hinder his future performance.

Virtanen represented Canada at the U18 World Junior Championship in 2013-14, registering six points in seven games. He also played on the U18 team at the Hlinka Memorial tournament.

He finished the year as the No. 6 North American skater prospect, according to the ISS final rankings.