Marcus Kallionkieli
2018-19 Team: Sioux City Musketeers
Date of Birth: March 20, 2001
Hometown: Helsinki, Finland
Ht: 6’ 2” Wt: 192 pounds
Shoots: Left
Position: C/LW
NHL Draft Eligibility: 2019 first-year eligible
Rankings
- Bob McKenzie: 76
- Pike’s Picks (March): 91
- Forbes Top 155 (March): 56
- Craig Button: 40
- Fisher’s Top Prospects (March): 71
- NHL Central Scouting, NA Skaters: 34
The 18th-leading scorer in the USHL (and third-highest scorer among rookies), Finnish forward Marcus Kallionkieli attracted lots of attention early in the year with the Sioux City Musketeers. He burst out of the gate, scoring 13 points (10 goals, 3 assists) in the Musketeers’ first nine games, with all but one of those goals at even strength. He was bound to slow a bit, and, in fact, he had a December to forget, scoring a single point in seven games that month.
Related: Our Free NHL Draft Guide
Otherwise, the rookie has had a consistent season, thanks in part to playing on one of the league’s top lines, alongside fellow 2019 prospect Bobby Brink and 2018 Calgary Flames pick Martin Pospisil. On Sioux City, Brink, Pospisil
Kallionkieli’s draft trajectory this season – in which he went from unknown to rookie sensation then kind of leveled out – is nicely illustrated by THW’s Larry Fisher in his monthly draft prospect rankings:
Pre-Season Ranking: Not listed
October: Not listed
November: 53
December: 60
January: 66
February: 65
March: 71
At this time, Marcus has not committed for the fall. He’s a sizable forward with an impressive skillset who has shown an exceptional ability to score goals from all over the offensive zone. His adjustment to the smaller North American rink appears to have taken no time at all; if anything he’s thrived on this ice, as his numbers per game are way up compared to when he played in Finland.
In short, Kallionkieli is a big-bodied forward who likes to find open spaces and who loves to shoot. His upside is as big as his game is simple.
Marcus Kallionkieli – NHL Draft Projection
Third-round pick, maybe sooner.
Quotables
Check out the chatter about Kallionkieli at Hockey’s Future Boards.
“Kallionkieli is a one-dimensional player who utilizes his long stride, solid frame and decent puck skills to get himself to scoring positions. His hockey sense, vision, and defensive play are all rather average [but] Kallionkieli’s frame, shot and scoring ability still make him an intriguing long-term prospect.” Asko Huuki, FinnProspects
“I’ve been impressed by Kallionkieli. [He] is a threat from distance with an accurate shot and quick release. Diversity of shot types and weight shifts. Soft touch around the goal.” Mitch Brown
“Kallionkieli … has good size and speed, plus he can really rip the puck.” Ryan Kennedy, THN
Strengths
- Skating
- Shot
- Size
Under Construction (Improvements to Make)
- Awareness in his own zone
- Reading the play
NHL Potential
In a few years, with the right coaching and by developing within an organization that believes in him, Marcus Kallionkieli could be a top-six forward in the NHL.
Risk-Reward Analysis
Risk – 2.5/5, Reward – 4/5
Fantasy Hockey Potential
Offence – 8/10, Defence – 6/10
Awards/Achievements
Marcus was a Jr. C SM-sarja Champion (HIFK) in 2016-17 and a Jr. B SM-sarja Champion in 2017-18. He also played on both the Finland U16 and U17 teams, scoring 2-3-5 points in 12 games.
Interview/Profile Links
Meet the Muskies, by Owen Siebring of Siouxland News.