He’s far from perfect, but Red Deer Rebels defenceman Tommi Kivisto is still a good bet to be selected in the first round of next year’s NHL entry draft.

The Finnish rearguard simply has too much going for him to be ignored by every NHL club in the opening round, including the all-important tangibles of size and mobility. Still, the 17-year-old is not the complete package, at least not yet.

“Tommi has been pretty solid for us, but he has a lot to learn,” said Rebels head coach Jesse Wallin. “He’s a young player who has had a lot to adjust to on and off of the ice. I think there have been times when he’s struggled, times when he’s been inconsistent and also times when he’s really shown his promise and the ability that he has.

“For him, it’s just a matter of adjusting to not only this level, but the style of play over here in North America. Tommi makes mistakes because he’s a very competitive kid and sometimes he tries to do too much. He tries to be too aggressive.”

Kivisto was projected as a 2009 first-round NHL draft pick when the Rebels selected him in this year’s CHL import draft, and he hasn’t lost much, if any, of his luster during his rookie WHL season. The Finn is ranked seventh among WHL players eligible for the 2009 NHL entry draft, while teammates Landon Ferraro, Cass Mappin and Willie Coetzee are ranked ninth, 13th and 19th, respectively.

“Tommi certainly has some tremendous assets. He’s very competitive and very strong,” said Wallin. “He’s a very good skater and when he’s on his game and feeling confident, he moves the puck very well and has the big shot from the point.”

However . . .

“He’s like any other 17-year-old player who has to continue to improve and continue to gain confidence,” said Wallin. “You can’t emphasize enough the fact that he’s only 17 years old. Players of that age have an adjustment to make, let alone a player who has come halfway around the world and is going through a cultural change. All things considered,

Tommi has handled it very well.”

Kivisto insisted he’s feeling more at home every day, not just on the ice but also away from the rink.

“Of course I feel more comfortable. It was a big step to come here and now that I know what the game is here it’s just easier to play now,” he said.

“The new language and the food is a little bit different, and the lifestyle is a little bit changed. But I think I have got used to it pretty good. It feels nice to be here. I enjoy it. We practise a lot more than in Finland, it is more professional that way. But I think it is good.”

The Finnish blueliner knows there is plenty of room to improve. For starters, he’s still looking for his first WHL regular-season goal.

“Maybe I should shoot more pucks to the net and maybe get something happening on the power play,” he said.

“But of course it is very important to be good defensively and help the team that way.”

Kivisto knows that he’s a potential first-rounder for next year’s NHL entry draft, but he refuses to be overwhelmed by the fact.

“Of course it is nice to be noticed as a player, but I think it is more important that we focus more as a team on winning some games,” he said. “After the season we can look at how high I am (ranked). For now it is important that we get more wins before Christmas.

“I think we have to stick to our game plan and be good defensively for 60 minutes. We also have to score, and I think that is it.”

Standing a shade over six foot and weighing in at roughly 200 pounds, Kivisto not only plays with an edge but fared well in his first and only WHL scrap to date. On Sept. 20 at the Centrium, in just his second WHL contest, Kivisto went toe-to-toe with 19-year-old Medicine Hat forward Bretton Cameron, and while being pummelled by the Didsbury native, landed a thunderous punch that dropped his opponent and ended the fight.

Does Kivisto, who has nine assists to his credit, see another scrap in his near future?

“I think I have to score before I fight next time,” he said with a grin.

Contact Greg Meachem at gmeachem@reddeeradvocate.com