Future Watch: Slater Koekkoek Hockey Rookie Cards, Lightning

Future Watch: Slater Koekkoek Hockey Rookie Cards, Lightning – Slater Koekkoek is a free spirit and a terrific NHL defenseman in the making. Pronounced “cuckoo” he was drafted 10th overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2012 NHL Draft. He has some offense in his game. Good skating and a physical style of play that will fit seamlessly in the NHL.

Some early injuries set back his development. He now has over 100 games in professional hockey and he’s putting up solid numbers in the American Hockey League for the Syracuse Crunch.

Last season he had a three game cup of coffee and now he’s waiting for his big break. The Lightning are a Stanley Cup contender, with a lot of defenseman ahead of him on the depth chart, so he’s playing the waiting game. He got another call up for one-game this season and he had a chance to play in front of the home crowd. Then he was sent back down.

At 21, there’s a lot of potential here. His first rookie cards were released in 2015-16 MVP and Artifacts. This was followed by the debut of his Young Guns rookie card.  2015-16 Upper Deck Series 1 Hockey. Since then he’s been included in Trilogy and will be featured in mid and late-season sets as well. He’s a guy who can sneak up on collectors when he gets his chance so now is the time to collect his cards.

Here’s a look at his NHL draft moment:

Here’s an interview that shows off his personality:

He wears a bracelet with water from the dead sea. He believes in it or at least that’s what he says. The Lightning certainly have that same kind of belief in his development and that’s why he’s been available for a call up this season and next year he’ll get every opportunity to make the big club. Next year could be his year.

Slater Koekkoek NHL Player Profile

Future Watch: Slater Koekkoek Hockey Rookie Cards, Lightning – Image Gallery