NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Jens Lööke

 

Get to Know Jens Lööke

Date of Birth: April 11, 1997
Place of Birth: Gävle, Sweden
Ht: 6’0” Wt: 185 lbs
Shoots: Right
Position: Right Wing
Team: Brynas (SHL)

 

After scoring 18 points in 18 games for the Swedish SuperElit league, Jens Lööke made the impressive full time transition to the SHL at just 17 years of age. Lööke scored 2 goals and 6 points in his first 43 games in the SHL amongst adults. Lööke wasn’t put in a scoring role with Brynas at the SHL level, and was instead forced to hone his two-way game on the fourth line and penalty kill.

 

Statistics

 

What Scouts See

Curtis Joe, Elite Prospects:

A smooth skating winger with tremendous playmaking ability. Possesses good puckhandling skills and can weave his way into the offensive end and make plays on a consistent basis. In terms of passing, he can find a seam in a fog; don’t be fooled into thinking he is simply a passer, as he also exhibits a very sneaky, erratic shot that often finds its way to the back of the net. All-in-all, a smart, offensive winger that is poised with the puck and makes creative on-ice decisions that lead to dangerous scoring chances.

Future Considerations

A two-way player who doesn’t really stand out in any one area but is well rounded overall. Looke has a good motor and accelerates well to full blown sprint mode. He has good balance and edge work that helps him weave in and out of traffic with ease. Looke doesn’t really show a desire to hold onto the puck of extended periods of time, but does show confidence and some creativity [. . .] Provides a lot of energy and is consistently up tempo in both ends but does not play overly physical. Takes shifts on the penalty kill and makes strong efforts to block lanes and drop and block shots.

Brendan Ross, Dobber Sports

Not a “big-ticket” name in the 2015 draft class but Jens Looke could be one of those post-first round picks that make GMs look foolish down the road. He’s got a great motor and underrated puck skills with an ability to cash in on chances. He projects as a middle-six winger who would complement an offensive pivot very well.

Benn Kerr, Last Word on Sports

Like many Swedish forwards, Jens Looke plays a responsible two-way game.  He cuts down passing lanes with a strong, active stick and gets back quickly on the back check.  Looke forces plays to the outside and works just as hard on the boards in the defensive zone as he does in the attacking zone.  He applies good back pressure and takes away space well. He will need to get better at blocking shots and cutting down shooting lanes to be an effective penalty killer.

Highlights

NHL Potential

Jens Lööke doesn’t have the high end offensive skill set to become a top line winger in the NHL or to climb to the top of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, but he does have the type of two way game that could enable him to carve out a spot in a team’s middle six forwards. If he reaches his potential, Lööke should be a solid two-way winger in the NHL who provides minor depth scoring and plays on the penalty kill.

Expected Draft Position

Most scouting services rank Lööke as a third round prospect or later, but ESPN’s Corey Pronman ranks Lööke in the middle of the second round.

How Prospect Fits in Avalanche Organization

Jens Lööke is a versatile winger with decent size and a variety of high quality tools. His defensive play, especially in Sweden’s top league is encouraging, and if he experiences the offensive growth that many expect then he could be an invaluable prospect. The Avalanche prospect pool is short on high upside versatile wingers like Lööke and he could make a good mid-round selection for the Avalanche.

For a look at some of the other wingers available near Jens Looke check out these other prospect profiles:
Graham Knott
Keegan Kolesar
Glenn Gawdin
Gabriel Gagne
Pius Suter
Dennis Yan