Patrik Kerkola
2024-25 Team: KalPa U20
Date of Birth: May 29, 2007
Place of Birth: Siilinjärvi, Finland
Ht: 6-foot-3 Wt: 194 pounds
Catches: Left
Position: Goalie
NHL Draft Eligibility: 2025 first-year eligible
Rankings
- TSN/Craig Button: 69th
- McKeen’s Hockey: 205th
- NHL Central Scouting Final Rankings (EU Goalies): 6th
Patrik Kerkola plays a calm game and uses his size well to seal off the net. He hugs the post tightly with his long frame and handles the puck well behind the net. He does have some trouble smothering rebounds and can leave space through the five-hole at times. I like his size, but we’ll have to see how he handles the North American style of play for a full season, as smaller rinks and faster pace could be a challenge. His international numbers are a little concerning, but he did make the Liiga roster midseason, though he only played one game.
In 2023–24, he started with KalPa U18, putting up a 2.86 goals-against-average (GAA) and a .922 save percentage (SV%) in 10 games. He was even better in the relegation round, going 4-0-0 with a 1.77 GAA and .932 SV%. He moved up to KalPa U20, where he played 23 games with a 2.56 GAA and .886 SV%, and added a shutout in his only playoff appearance. He also made his Liiga debut, stopping 21 of 24 shots in a 1.93 GAA, .875 SV% outing. He was loaned to IPK of Mestis League mid-season, where he struggled in two playoff games (4.83 GAA, .865 SV%).
Internationally, he played for Finland U17, including the World Hockey Challenge, finishing with a 3.20 GAA and .904 SV% in four games.
Risk – 3.5/5, Reward – 4/5
Fantasy Hockey Potential
Goaltending – 7.5/10
Awards/Achievements
- U16 Pohjola Camp Roster (KalPa)
- U16 SM-sarja Bronze Medal
- U18 SM-sarja Rookie of the Year (Heino Pulli Award)
- Finland2 (Mestis) Champion
Interviews/Links
Patrik Kerkola Stats
Videos
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