SAMU TUOMAALA (TOO-oh-MAH-lah)
POSITION: Right Wing
TEAM/LEAGUE: Kärpät Jr. (Finland Jr.)
DRAFT:Second Round (46th Overall) by Flyers
VITALS:5'10", 174 lbs.
BIRTHDATE:January 8, 2003
BIRTHPLACE:Oulu, Finland
SHOOTS:Right
* He is the first member of the Flyers 2021 Draft Class to be signed to an entry-level contract.
* He ranked fourth on Kärpät's U20 team in 2020-21 with 15 goals and 16 assists in 30 games and posted 4 points (1g-3a) in 5 playoff games.
* He also appeared in five games for their Finnish Elite League team, goin scoreless with a +1 rating.
* Was named to the 2021 Under-18 World Junior Championship All-Star Team after ranking sixth in tournament scoring with 11 points (5g-6a) in 7 games.
* He put up 23 points (15g-8a) in 40 games for Kärpät's U20 team in 2019-20.
* He represented Team Finland at the 2019 Under-17 World Hockey Challenge where he produced 3 goals and 2 assists in 5 games.
Scouting Reports from the NHL Draft:
Brent Flahr - Vice President & Assistant General Manager
"He's a guy we targeted. We kind of thought he would probably go at the end of the first or somewhere in the 20s and he fell. A real talented winger. Great skater. Real dynamic speed. Loves to shoot the puck. Talented kid. He's going to take a little time to get stronger and put on a little weight. A talented kid that has real good offensive upside."
Joakim Grundberg - Flyers Director of European Scouting
"Obviously very excited getting him. He was rated as a first round talent. We were able to get him in the middle of the second round, so we're really excited about that. To us, he has elite speed and high skill. Very good shot. High-offensive upside. There's things he's got to work on like his overall game and obviously getting stronger. We're really excited. We see a lot of upside there."
Bill Meltzer - PhiladelphiaFlyers.com
"Tuomaala's speed and hands are of first-round caliber. If he develops as hoped, he could be a top-six NHL forward. Despite his lack of size, he isn't afraid to go the scoring areas and he doesn't get intimidated. He was a force at the U18s in Frisco this year. The young Finnish winger is a player who feeds off emotion, for better and for worse. If things aren't going his way, he can get off track. But in terms of his feet and his hands -- two things that really can't be taught -- he's a high upside player. The rest can come with maturity and experience. He figures to see more Liiga time this year with Kärpät."
NHL Central Scouting
"An elite skater with a great set of skills including speed, balance and smooth puck handling. A smart passer who also possesses a fine selection of shots. Can score big goals and is very dangerous around the net with a fine finishing touch. A complete package that does not shy away from tight situations or rough games. Used in all game situations."
