Observations:

May 2016 – In 18 games for the Flames, Jyrki managed to buy into the defensive system fairly quickly and was rewarded with increased ice time (played over 19 minutes in 8 of final 14 games). He will have to earn the same trust as he did with Hartley as Flames will have a new boss behind the bench. He adds shot blocking and a hit or two here or there, but shouldn't be significant for you unless you need a cheap option for a salary cap league (makes 0.9M next season). – Joel Henderson

March 2016 – Jokipakka was traded to the Calgary Flames along with Brett Polluck and a 2016 conditional 2nd round draft pick for Kris Russell. Jokipakka should be given Kris Russell's minutes, which will help to develop his game at the NHL level. Jokipakka should get the same amount of ice time as what he was getting in Dallas, about 12-15 minutes a game. Jokipakka could get a little more penalty kill minutes, Kris Russell had the third most penalty kill minutes per game for the Calgary Flames. Jokipakka will be competing with Jakub Nakladal for that final roster spot on the backend once Dennis Wideman returns from his suspension. Paul Zwambag

November 2014 – Jokipakka has been returned to Cedar Park following a three game call up in Big D. In his first game Jokipakka turned in a good performance in spite of going without a point and looked like he belonged with the big club. In the two games that followed his lack of experience showed in his uneven play and with Sergei Gonchar back from his broken ankle the decision was made to send Jokipakka back the "A". During his three games in Cedar Park to open the AHL season, Jokipakka had one power play goal and skated one the second and third pairing with Maxime Fortunus, a pairing that should resume with his return. Rex Doty

October 2014 – Jyrki Jokipakka has been recalled from Cedar Park as the seventh man for the D corps in Dallas. The move comes after the injury to fellow prospect Patrik Nemeth. Jokipakka will have a chance to battle it out with Jamie Oleksiak for a spot on the third D pairing. So far in 2014-15 Jokipakka has played in all three games with the Texas Stars picking up a game-wining power play goal against the OKC Barons. Rex Doty

September 2014 – Jokipakka really impressed during the preseason in Dallas, but will be heading back to Cedar Park to start the 2014-15 season. He'll get plenty of minutes as part of a really strong group of D for the Texas Stars and his name will be in the mix for call ups as the season goes along. Rex Doty

September 2014 – Jokipakka has been having a really good camp and preseason and now finds himself as a leading contender to fill one of the open spots on the Stars blueline. He has survived two rounds of cuts and with Brendan Dillon still awaiting a new deal, and his own strong play, he may well find himself in Big D on opening night. Rex Doty

September 2014 – Jokipakka notched an assist in the Stars pre-season opener against St. Louis, capitalizing on a mistake by Blues prospect Ty Rattie. It's a nice touch for the big Finnish blueliner as he gets a taste of the NHL before he likely heads back to Cedar Park for his sophmore season at the North American pro level. Jokipakka finished with 21 points (5 goals, 16 assists) in 68 games during his rookie season with the Texas Stars. Rex Doty

November 2013 – Jokipakka opened the 2013-2014 campaign with two assists in the Texas Stars' (AHL) home opener against the Chicago Wolves on Oct. 5.  He's appeared in all 17 games for the Stars this season and snapped a six game point drought on Nov. 17 against the Toronto Marlies by recording one assist. Clayton Bailey

April 2013 – Jokipakka was reassigned by Dallas to their AHL affiliate. Jokipakka finished this season with Ilves of SM-Liiga averaging close to 24 minutes per game, with a final stat line of 5 goals, 13 assists and 18 points with a minus-29 in 59 games. Three of his five goals came on the powerplay. He joins a crowded pool of prospect blueliners in the Stars system, so he will have to fight for ice time. Rex Doty

December 2012 – Jokipakka has averaged nearly 25 minutes per game in the first half of the season. His point production has been steady and he has now 13 points in 30 games. He will likely move to play in North America in 2013. Miika Arponen

October 2012 – Jokipakka has been playing big minutes for Ilves' defence alongside NHL veteran Ville Koistinen. His skating has improved a lot from last year and he's making good plays on the powerplay too. He has one goal and three assists so far in eight games. This kid should not be overlooked in a little deeper fantasy drafts.

July 2012 – As expected he has signed a three year entry level and will cross to North America. Dallas will get a good look at him in Austin, Texas playing as a farm hand in the AHL. Dallas has scored late round success before in Antti Miettinen, Jussi Jokinen and Niko Kapenen, coincidentally enough, all from Finland. Jason Banks

April, 2011 – Jyrki Jokipakka was a bit surprising pick from Dallas in 2011 draft, but he could really prove to be worth it. After NHL veteran Ville Koistinen moved to the KHL from Ilves in December 2011, Jokipakka rose to be the leading d-man in the team and also finished as a sixth best scorer among defensemen in SM-liiga. He has good size but is also a good skater and gives an easy first pass. He will probably move to play in North America after 12/13 season.

Fantasy Outlook: C

He provides size and depth for the Flames. Looks to be a steady NHLer who is strong on the PK.

Footage:

Jokipakka with a sweet shot from the point at the 37 second mark:

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Jyrki Jokipakka statistics courtesy of Elite Prospects

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