Jyrki Jokipappa(2) Dallas Stars

Jyrki Jokipakka

Dallas Stars‘ 7th round deep pick in the 2011 draft (#195 overall) 5th year Finnish-born defenseman Jyrki Jokipappa(2) won a Calder Cup in his rookie season on reassignment with affiliate Texas Stars.

In 21 playoff games he had 5 assists and was a +8.

The rangy 6’3″ 210 lbs. blue liner was a late training camp cut showing in preseason action he was ready to step up his efforts.

In 23 NHL games he already has 6 assists.

In 19 AHL games he struck for 3 goals and 2 assists.

With 3 years of pro hockey under his belt with Ilves of Liiga, the top league in Finland, he’s one of many new international players that are taking that route to North America.

He was even loaned back in the first season of his three-year entry level deal to continue his development overseas before arriving here and is set to become a restricted free agent at the end of the current campaign.

The 23-year old will easily be given a qualifying offer for another year, if not tied up for another two.