As John McCarthy puts it, “everyone knows” San Jose Sharks prospect Kasper Halttunen can score.
The 19-year-old recorded 32 goals and 61 points in 57 games in his debut season with the London Knights, then finished with 17 goals and 26 points in 18 games in the OHL playoffs and Memorial Cup.
Halttunen is a European drafted prospect who is eligible to play in the AHL at age 19. According to San Jose Barracuda head coach John McCarthy, the winger needs to continue to improve and develop “professional habits” in order to be promoted to the AHL this season.
The 2023 second-round draft pick has yet to decide whether he will play for the Barracuda or Knights next season.
Speaking to the media on the first day of San Jose Sharks development camp, Halttunen explained how the Sharks drafted London's teammate, Finland-born Sam Dickinson, who scored a goal in his North American debut and how Finnish prospect Emil Hemming told him he had a better chance than Halttunen.
San Jose Barracuda head coach John McCarthy also spoke about the areas Halttunen needs to improve in order to break into the Barracuda lineup.
“I think he was a great player,” Halttunen said of the San Jose Sharks drafting teammate Sam Dickinson with the 11th pick.
I was actually watching the draft at 3:30 in the morning in Finland and was thrilled when he was selected. [available] He's not there, but I'm really glad we chose him and I'm really glad he's here…
I think I jumped up off the couch and started screaming, I was really excited.
Halttunen spoke about what he has improved during his first season in North America:
The overall game, how to get used to the small ice. That was the big thing for me this year. I think in the end I got pretty used to the small ice. I got used to the wall work and all the things that you don't have to do as much in Europe.
Halttunen talks about his good form in the OHL playoffs.
As the season went on, we got more used to the smaller ice and the North American game, and I think in the playoffs we can just put in a little bit more effort and get a little bit better each game. In that respect, I think we did a pretty good job.
Halttunen had this to say about becoming a player who will play in big games in the future:
I think I've done a pretty good job of that this year. I love to win. It's my biggest goal in hockey to hoist the Stanley Cup one day. So when the big games come up, I always try that little bit harder.
“It was a tough decision,” Halttunen said of his decision to play in the OHL against Finland last season.
I'm really happy with the decision. I think it was 100% the right decision for me. I'm grateful to London for giving me that opportunity, and I'm also grateful to the Sharks for helping me get there.
McCarthy spoke about what Halttunen needs to improve to make it to the AHL.
Playing off the puck… he's got a great shot. Everybody knows he can score. He's big. So, playing off the puck, moving on the puck, the difference between pro habits and junior habits.
I think that's the biggest thing, like a lot of guys coming up from junior, you're allowed a lot in junior, but at our level the game is a little tighter, so that's how we advance his game.
