Kari Takko emphasizes skating power at U20 ice hockey tournament in Imatra

Skill and intelligence are the two most essential requirements for reaching the international elite in ice hockey, according to Kari Takko, the player scout and head of European scouts for the NHL team Dallas Stars.

“The biggest change has been the increased need for skating power. To succeed in the NHL, one must be a strong skater,” Takko states. He is among nearly 150 scouts gathered in Imatra for a U20 ice hockey tournament featuring teams from five countries. This tournament serves as the Finnish under-20 men’s national team’s final competition before the World Championships in Canada at the year’s end.

Scouts provide reports on young players to their respective NHL teams. Takko emphasizes that he focuses on more than just goals and assists. “I look at the first impression, skating power, puck handling skills, and game intelligence,” he lists.

If Takko identifies potential in a player, he delves deeper. “I begin to assess the player’s ‘heart level,’ meaning their willingness to engage in battles, how creative they are, and whether they create scoring opportunities,” he explains.

Each year, Takko attends approximately 170 to 200 ice hockey games across Europe. However, scouting goes beyond just observing on-ice performance. In the Dallas Stars organization, talent scouts typically meet players in Finland and Sweden for personal discussions after the season. They also explore players’ backgrounds and injury histories. “Even after the hockey season ends, there’s still plenty of work for scouts,” Takko adds.