Finnish defenceman Iivari Räsänen commits to Quinnipiac

Iivari Räsänen playing for Finland

The Quinnipiac Bobcats picked up a a commitment for a Finnish born defenceman yesterday when 2001 born Iivari Räsänen made the decision to play for the Bobcats. Räsänen is the younger brother of Boston College forward Aapeli Räsänen, an Edmonton Oilers draft pick. The younger Räsänen is currently in his first season with the Muskegon Lumberjacks in the USHL.

Proud and honored to announce my commitment to play Division 1 hockey at Quinnipiac University. I want to thank my family, friends, coaches and everyone else who has supported me along the way. #GoBobcats pic.twitter.com/lE3cvlzGVd

— Iivari Räsänen (@iivarirasanen) January 30, 2020

The left shot 6'1, 205 pound Räsänen is having a solid season with the Lumberjacks with 13 points (1 goal, 12 assists) in 32 games played and is a plus 9. Prior to his time with Muskegon, Räsänen played back in Finland for Tappara U20 the past two seasons plus five games this season before coming over to North America. ISS Hockey said Räsänen is two-way defenceman with a good first pass that likes to jump into the rush and plays with poise and confidence with strong hockey IQ. Finnish Jr. Hockey had this scouting report below.

Iivari Räsänen has committed to Quinnipiac University. The former Tappara U20 standout playing his 1st season with USHL's Muskegon Lumberjacks. A stable, smart defenseman who can shut down opposing forwards and chip in offensively. Two reports in profile: https://t.co/iGVyTXiDLL pic.twitter.com/z7BmG7BRjH

— Finnish Jr Hockey (@FINjrhockey) January 30, 2020

Räsänen also has extensive Finland national team experience playing for the Finland U-17 and U-18 teams the past three years. While he went undrafted in 2019 in his first draft year, Räsänen is a player who could certainly see his name called in the 2020 draft especially if he continues his strong play for Muskegon. When he will enroll with Quinnipiac is not yet known but its either going to be for the 2020-2021 or the year after that. Overall this looks like a very solid pickup for Quinnipiac who should develop nicely under Rand Pecknold and the assistant coaches.

Links
Elite Prospects Player Page
USHL Player Page 

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