| Re: Stars 2005-06 rookie review
Jussi Jokinen, LW, 23
“He’s not a rookie in mindset. He’s a very mature guy. He’s adapted to North American life very well,” said Stars Head Coach Dave Tippett.
The Finnish rookie did adjust well to North American life and to the NHL, playing on the Stars top line all year alongside captain Mike Modano and Jere Lehtinen. Jokinen’s speed and playmaking abilities complimented his veteran linemates and it showed as he notched 17 goals and 55 points in 81 games. The left wing finished fourth among all rookies in points and earned a silver medal with Finland’s Olympic team.
As a team, Dallas was able to capitalize on the NHL’s new shootout going 12-1 in 13 games played, the league’s best record in the shootout, and Jokinen was a big reason for the team’s success in this area. The sixth round pick in 2001 made headlines early in the year by going a perfect nine for nine in the shootout before finishing the season with a record of 10 successful shootout attempts in 13 tries. Jokinen’s 76.9 percent success ratio in the shootout completely surpassed that of the league-wide average of just 33.64 percent. He also notched a record of one for one on the penalty shot.
Jokinen has admitted he loves to go one on one with goaltenders and the Stars have clearly benefited from this.
“He’s played great this year and he’s a real talented kid,” said Guerin. “He loves playing the game. He has a lot of fun with it and he’s real methodical about it as far as watching tape. His preparation is borderline weird but it gets him ready and he’s very thorough.”
Antti Miettinen, RW, 25
Miettinen didn’t make the splash that Jokinen did but still played an integral part of the Stars team. According to Tippett, Miettinen really benefited from an extra year down in the AHL during the lockout.
In 2004-05, Miettinen rebounded from a shoulder injury that sidelined him for 45 games at the beginning of the season. He returned and played in 35 games at the AHL level and scored eight goals and 28 points. His 28 points nearly matched his total from the 2003-04 season in which he appeared in 48 games and notched 30 points.
The Stars got some nice play from their two top rookies...especially Jere Lehtinen in the shootouts...amazing, especially for a rookie...these kids though are 23 and 25 years old...Can they really be considered rookies with all their Euro experience?  | 
06-04-2006, 07:46 AM
Stars 2005-06 rookie review 
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