With their fifth round pick the Dallas Stars have selected Miro Karjalainen, defenseman out of Finnish juniors. (Jokerit U18). He’s 18 years old. He’s very large (6’5″). He’s from Finland. Did I say that already?
Yes, information becomes a little tough to come by this far in, but what is clear is that the Stars are stocking up on right handed defense in this draft, and big bodies, too. That’s six picks now without a winger selected, and only one forward in their second rounder Pollack.
This breaks a string of four straight Canadians selected, and he’s the second Finnish player taken. It’s likely a player of this age and origin will stay out of sight in Europe for a number of years, like a Jokipakka or a Klingberg, before coming over eventually, perhaps, to play for Texas some day.
Here’s one expert opinion, which are getting more and more vague by the pick as the draft descends into its necessary obscurity…
Stars select huge Finnish defenseman Miro Karjalainen with 5th round. Huge defensive D with some physicality.
— Bill Meltzer (@billmeltzer) June 28, 2014
Here are the stats from Elite Prospects.com…