Born: 2003-01-28
Team: TPS
Position: Center/Left Wing
Shoots: Right
Height / Weight: 6-4 / 181
UPDATE: JULY 6, 2021
Väisänen had a good season with TPS in the U20 SM-sarja. He has good stick skills and can make defenders miss in 1-on-1’s, especially if they give him too much space to get going. He’s not afraid to try and make his way to the net with the puck. I would consider him more of a playmaker than a goal-scorer, as he shows a good eye for the game, but he does have a strong one-timer and a quick, accurate wrist shot. He can produce points on the power play. Väisänen is a physical player who can be a menace on the forecheck. He consistently finishes his checks and he’s able to force opponents into hasty decisions. He skates a bit upright and could have more pace, but his skating has improved gradually. I would not be surprised if he hears his name called in late rounds of the 2021 NHL Draft. If not, I think NHL teams will continue to monitor his development closely.
REPORT: PITSITURNAUS, AUGUST 7, 2020
The tall winger put together a promising tournament. He played in two games and scored in a 3-0 win against Tappara. He finished a direct attack off a good backhand feed from Eetu Liukas. Väisänen showed vision in the offensive zone and made quick decisions. He executed an efficient passing game and did not overhandle the puck. Soft puck touches. The most encouraging thing was that his skating had improved. He played with more jump and pace than in the past season. His skating and speed are starting to catch up with the rest of his game and that will help him become a more complete player. Certain times I thought his reads off the puck could have been better. Overall, he did his job well on the fourth line. He will continue getting better and will be a player to keep tabs on.
REPORT: TPS @ KIEKKO-VANTAA U18, SEPTEMBER 20, 2019
Väisänen played on TPS U18 second line alongside Juraj Slafkovsky and Juuso Saarinen. The 6’3″ winger showed an intriguing offensive toolset. His stickhandling was impressive, he created room with the puck for himself and unleashed a few quick wristers on net. He was relied upon to kill penalties and his long reach was an asset in the defensive zone while shorthanded. While not the lightest of players on his skates, his quickness and mobility both looked improved from the past season. His top-end speed is good, at the moment he just needs some time to reach it. Väisänen has the puck skills, physical tools and hockey sense to develop into a highly efficient player who makes plays in all three zones.
REPORT: KIEKKO-VANTAA @ VIIKINGIT U16, MARCH 16, 2019
Väisänen had a strong game offensively for Viikingit U16 and got on the scoresheet with two goals in a 6-3 loss. He played wing in this game but he has also often been a center over the course of the season. In his first goal, Väisänen gained a step ahead on the defender, protected the puck and finished off with a quality, precise far-side wrist shot. The second goal was a nice display of skill as well: good backhand pass reception, quick hands and another accurate wrister, this time from the slot. He showed very good vision in the offensive zone and controlled the puck well near the boards. He was strong in battles and tough to play against when playing with high intensity. Long reach was an asset on the backcheck. Given his 6’3″ frame, Väisänen’s speed and mechanics were quite good and he looks like a player who will improve in the skating department with additional strength.