Henri Jokiharju remains with the Blackhawks as Training Camp and the preseason have reached their conclusion. The 2017 first-round pick is poised to join the team when the regular season begins on Thursday in Ottawa. He left a good impression on the Blackhawks in the final preseason game.
"I liked his game," said Head Coach Joel Quenneville. "One thing with him is we like the way he participates in the attack. Good patience with the puck in the offensive zone as well. He's going to learn a lot of how to cover and all the little situations for a defenseman to improve upon. Containment or influencing and that consistency in how he defends is only going to enhance his game. I thought he did some really good things tonight and he can only get better."
Brent Seabrook weighed in on what is ahead for the young defender.
"I remember my first game, I think I was -3 or 4 and I didn't know if I could play in the league," Seabrook said. "It's a different game, it's a fast game. It's exciting. I think it's something for myself, I always dreamed of playing in the NHL and you get out there and you play. Exhibition is exhibition, but the first regular season game is pretty special. I'm sure he'll have some nerves come Thursday, but he's a good young player, he's a good kid, works extremely hard, he's got all the tools."
BLOG: What Jokiharju has shown and what's next
