KONSTA HELENIUS

Center/Right Wing
5’11/176
Right
Jukurit/ Liiga

Related: Berkly Catton

When Konsta Helenius suited up for Finland at the World Junior Summer Showcase last summer, he could have been playing against his own age group at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, perhaps as the most notable forward from the 2024 NHL Draft class. Instead, Helenius showed up, played a middle-six role, and registered an assist while playing with guys fighting for a roster spot for the main world junior event this winter. Through six international games this season already, Helenius has been a standout with five points. Helenius played in 33 games in Liiga last season, tallying 11 points, after lighting up the U20 with Tappara with 8 goals and 28 points in 19 games. He’s well on his way to surpassing his 11-point output as a 16-year-old. He’s the most productive U-18 skater in the league this year, as he was last year, and is on pace to produce one of the better campaigns at that age in Liiga history. Now Helenius is sitting at 5 goals and 10 points in 19 games with Jukurit. Helenius has a high-end hockey IQ, is a good shooter and passer, and plays a solid well-rounded game. On top of this, his versatility and ability to play both Center and Wing makes him attractive to teams. Typically, it is quite difficult to evaluate prospects playing in European pro leagues because playing time can be so challenging to come by, but we’re not talking about a kid who’s just fighting to stay around; he’s averaging around 16 minutes a night. Smart prospects find a way to stand out, and Helenius does it night in and night out. If Helenius continues this upward trajectory, it wouldn’t shock me if he works his way into the top 5.

Size/Strength Below Average
Skating Excellent
Shot/Scoring Great
Puckhandling Good
Physical Play Average
Offensive Play Great
Defensive Play Good
Hockey Sense Excellent
Competitiveness Great

Strengths

1. Although he’s undersized, Helenius has excellent speed, skill, and vision, which have allowed him to be a regular contributor in Liiga at the age of 16.
2. Despite being a smaller forward, Helenius displays great compete and puck protection skills. He’s able to quickly get the inside edge with his speed and has the ability to constantly battle and engage on the forecheck.
3. Has a high-end Hockey Sense.

Areas of Improvement

1. He is Undersized forward at only 5’10/176.
2. Could benefit from improving his shot.

Scouting Report

Playing significant games in Liiga at 16 years old is a pretty special designation for Helenius. What’s more impressive, he actually put up some points. He scored three goals and had eight assists in 33 Liiga appearances, which is actually pretty special given his age. Using Pick224, an excellent tool for tracking prospects worldwide, Helenius was fourth in primary points-per-game among all 2024 prospects playing junior. His production fell once he jumped up against pros, but the fact he still put up 0.33 points per game in 33 games in one of the best pro hockey leagues in the world is impressive. He also had success on the international stage with Finland’s U17 and U18 teams and was routinely one of their top players. Konsta Helenius is a dynamic playmaking Winger, who has experience playing center as well; he does such a good job identifying lanes and attacking into them/taking what the defense gives him. He’ll look for his own look when it’s there or play in a quick give-and-go when spacing tightens up. He seems to create constantly. Despite being a smaller forward, Helenius displays great competitive and puck-protection skills. He’s able to quickly get the inside edge with his speed and has the ability to constantly battle and engage on the forecheck. Helenius has fantastic vision and playmaking upside, attracting defenders before sliding pucks to his open teammates. Although he’s undersized, his excellent speed, skill, and vision have allowed him to be a regular contributor in Liiga at the age of 16. He’s got a great motor in his game which combined with all his offensive talents should allow him to be a very good pro despite his frame. His physical play, speed, and overall skill make him dominant, even at 5-foot-10. I could see Helenius creeping up into the top five, maybe even challenging for a top three spot. The 5-foot-10 forward is undersized, but he makes up for it with his speed, agility, and playmaking. Helenius isn’t afraid to land some hits, and he’s as competitive as it gets. He plays like a smaller Sebastian Aho, and like his coach former NHLer Oli Jokinen points out, he is a smart prospect, who finds a way to stand out, night in and night out. If Konsta Helenius continues to play as well as he has, he could make a case to be a top 5 pick in the 2024 draft.

Skill: Versatile Forward, with high-end Skating, vision and passing ability, along with High IQ

NHL Comparable: Sebastian Aho

NHL Potential: Top Line Forward

Season	Team	League	GP	G	PTS
2022-23	Tappara U20	U20 SM-sarja	19	8	28
	Jukurit	Liiga	33	3	11
	Finland U17	WHC-17	7	2	11
	Finland U18	WJC-18	5	2	6
2023-24	Jukurit	Liiga	18	5	10

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