Bowen's comments seem spot-on. He matured early, has always had the skill. When we played sports as kids, we all remember there was always the one kid who was far better than everyone else. Often he would just do things himself, because nobody else could keep up with him. That's a bit of what I think happened with Virtanen last year, yet it doesn't go to his head. He also exudes a quiet confidence. He knows he's good, but he's not showy or flashy, and he's not afraid of anything or anyone. Very cool, and impressive for such a young kid, and really -- if not for the injury he seriously would make a case at camp to make the team. Might be a blessing, because one more year of junior still might be best for him.
Besides taking on a fighter three years older, that fight clip is another thing that hasn't been talked about enough imo -- his balance. It's one thing to crash into guys and deliver big hits, but he does so without taking himself out of the play, and even when he's the one with the puck. Many guys in scraps throw the big hooks and put themselves on the ice. Looks like Jake was even holding this other guy up when he was losing balance from all his wild swings.