MISSISSAUGA, Ontario – The Mississauga Steelheads have a plethora of new faces this season but one of those is just getting used to playing on this side of the Atlantic Ocean, which warrants more of an adjustment period.

A native of Rodovre, Denmark, Kasper Larsen is making his North American debut this season. However, the lack of experience has been well-concealed as the defenseman got off to a very promising start to his career.

En route to last Saturday’s convincing win in Kingston, Larsen notched two assists. This weekend, however, wasn’t as noteworthy, although, in fairness, it wasn’t memorable for any of his teammates, either.

Hoping to build off their season-opening victory last weekend — a convincing one with a 7-2 result, no less — the Steelheads had a rough showing this past weekend.

First, on Friday night, the blue-and-white were trounced in North Bay by a Battalion team that lit the lamp seven times. Their next game, the following night, wasn’t quite as decisive but unproductive nonetheless as the Steelheads fell 2-0 in Barrie to the Colts.

As for Larsen, he was a combined minus-three this past weekend, he registered just one shot on goal. It was a bit of a far cry from his plus-two rating and four shots on goal — in addition to his aforementioned pair of helpers — the previous weekend in the Limestone City.

Of course, before anyone jumps to conclusions, let’s remember that Larsen is a rookie who is as green as they come. His major-junior career is a mere three games old — and he’s still getting used to play on the smaller North American ice surface — so to ask more of the big blueliner would be a tad unfair.

Nevertheless, Steelheads head coach James Richmond has a high opinion of Larsen the person and the player as he shared his thoughts on the 19-year-old.

“Kasper is a wonderful person and has fit in very nicely with the team,” Richmond said. “I think he is adjusting very well to the size of the ice surface here in North America, similar to the way [Norwegian-born Steelhead] Ole Bjorgvik-Holm has done.”

As for this weekend’s overall performance, the Mississauga bench boss isn’t the least bit worried.

“Kasper is willing to learn and is putting in a lot of work so we are confident he will be a strong player for us this season,” Richmond added. “It will still take some time yet to fully understand the different pressure points of the North American game.”

At 6-foot-6 and 229 pounds, Kasper Larsen is not someone who’s easy to miss on the ice.

With his size, Larsen can literally throw his weight around with some big hits but, at the same time, remain disciplined and stay out of the penalty box.

But size isn’t the only asset the Danish D-man brings to the table.

Larsen possesses a smooth set of hands which helps in his outstanding stickhandling abilities. The latter plays a significant role in helping the 19-year-old become a better puck possession player. Larsen also has a hard shot, although his shot accuracy admittedly needs some addressing as does his skating ability. The latter is not bad by any means but not ideal, either.

As for reading plays, the big man is, pun intended, on his game.

Larsen has a very good understanding of the game, can read the game at an advanced rate for someone of his age and comprehends situational challenge at an above-average rate for his age.

Above all else, Larsen has experience at the professional ranks, albeit in his native country, whose rankings on the international level are modest at best. Nevertheless, Larsen suited up for the Herlev Eagles in Denmark for 23 games in 2019-20. During that stretch, he registered four assists.

Kasper Larsen is just one of a plethora of new faces for the Mississauga Steelheads this season, but an adjustment period is still needed to see just what the 19-year-old is made of and what he has to offer in North America. Overall, James Richmond and the Steelheads are not worried, and why would they be? The 2021-22 OHL season is less than two weeks old, after all.

But be on the lookout for Larsen regardless. He will be tough to miss with his massive size but should be even tougher to miss with his physical game and overall understanding of what’s going on on the ice.

“We are excited to welcome Kasper Larsen to the Steelheads,” said Richmond upon drafting Larsen in June 2020. “Kasper is a big strong defenceman from Denmark that will fit in very nicely on our backend. We look forward to working with Kasper in his NHL draft year.”

And there is more to look forward to.

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