Future Watch: Jake Virtainen Hockey Rookie Cards, Vancouver Canucks – Jake Virtainen is a terrific hockey player who plays well beyond his years. For many, he’s not yet on their NHL radar for two reasons. The first is he’s soon to be 19 and the second reason is he had a shoulder operation to overcome last season. He couldn’t take part in any contact drills until mid-October so he had no chance of making the big club. On the plus side he finished the season with the Utica Comets of the AHL getting some very important playoff experience.
The 6th overall pick in the 2014 draft has good size at 6-2, and great speed to go along with an emerging frame, currently around 212 pounds. He had a good showing last year for Canada at the World Junior Championships where he struck gold for Team Canada. This year he’s making a name for himself in the World Junior Championship Showcase that takes place over the summer and the team who drafted him, the Vancouver Canucks are taking notice.
Not only can he score goals in bunches he’s solid in his own end as well. A player like this isn’t likely to get into an early season product but he has a chance to get in one of the later releases. He has an excellent chance to start the season in Vancouver, get in a few games and get sent back to juniors for one more season if they feel he needs more seasoning.
Collectors can try and get a great autographed pre-rookie by getting a box of 2014 ITG Draft Prospect. For the savvy collector there’s the 2014-15 Upper Deck Team Canada set. Some consider this a rookie card, others don’t, but either way it’s a cool way to get his, and a few other NHL future stars cards.
Here’s a video of some of Virtainen’s memorable hits:
Here’s a Vine of one of his Team Canada Showcase goals:
https://vine.co/v/eHxFLITK3QT
Virtainen is a star in the making. Don’t miss out.
Future Watch: Jake Virtainen Hockey Rookie Cards, Vancouver Canucks – Image Gallery
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