Juuso Riikola

Juuso Riikola (born 9 November 1993) is a Finnish professional ice hockey defenseman currently under contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League (NHL). His brother, Simo-Pekka also plays professionally for SaiPa in the Liiga.

Juuso Riikola
Riikola with the Penguins in 2019
Born (1993-11-09) 9 November 1993
Joensuu, Finland
Height 6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight 189 lb (86 kg; 13 st 7 lb)
Position Defence
Shoots Left
NHL team
Former teams		 Pittsburgh Penguins
KalPa
National team  Finland
NHL Draft Undrafted
Playing career 2012–present

Playing career

Riikola made his SM-liiga debut playing with KalPa as a 19-year-old during the 2012–13 SM-liiga season.[1] He dressed for 20 games while posting 6 assists from the blueline.

In his sixth season with KalPa in 2017–18, and while serving as an alternate captain, Riikola scored a career high 8 goals for 24 points in 59 games.

On 17 May 2018, as an undrafted free agent, Riikola signed a one-year, entry-level deal with the Pittsburgh Penguins of the NHL for a reported $925,000.[2] He made his NHL debut on 11 October 2018 against the Vegas Golden Knights at PPG Paints Arena.[3] Riikola recorded his first career NHL point, an assist, on 28 November against the Colorado Avalanche.[4] He scored his first NHL goal on 29 December 2018 against the St. Louis Blues.[5]

On 30 May 2019, the Penguins re-signed Riikola to a one-year, one-way contract extension worth $850,000.[6] On 16 October 2019, against the Colorado Avalanche, Riikola played as a left winger due to injuries to several Penguins forwards.[7]

International play

Riikola played for the Finland national team at the 2018 IIHF World Championship.[8]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs
Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2010–11 KalPa Jr. A 28 3 7 10 24 — — — — —
2011–12 KalPa Jr. A 37 4 9 13 65 8 2 1 3 6
2012–13 KalPa Jr. A 14 2 3 5 12 — — — — —
2012–13 KalPa SM-l 20 0 6 6 6 — — — — —
2013–14 KalPa Liiga 54 1 4 5 28 — — — — —
2013–14 KalPa Jr. A 6 0 2 2 10 — — — — —
2014–15 KalPa Liiga 40 6 8 14 24 4 1 0 1 25
2014–15 KalPa Jr. A 1 0 0 0 2 — — — — —
2015–16 KalPa Liiga 51 5 10 15 24 3 0 1 1 2
2016–17 KalPa Liiga 59 6 19 25 28 18 1 6 7 4
2017–18 KalPa Liiga 59 8 16 24 14 6 0 1 1 4
2018–19 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL 37 2 3 5 10 — — — — —
2018–19 Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins AHL 5 0 2 2 0 — — — — —
2019–20 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL 36 1 6 7 6
Liiga totals 283 26 63 89 124 31 2 8 10 35
NHL totals 73 3 9 12 16 — — — — —

International
Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2013 Finland WJC 7th 6 0 1 1 4
2018 Finland WC 5th 8 0 2 2 4
Junior totals 6 0 1 1 4
Senior totals 8 0 2 2 4

References
  1. "2012–13 KalPa player statistics". Eliteprospects.com. 28 March 2013. Retrieved 28 March 2013.
  2. "Penguins sign defenseman Juuso Riikola". Pittsburgh Penguins. 18 May 2018. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
  3. Bombulie, Jonathan (12 October 2018). "Penguins defenseman Juuso Riikola earns rave reviews for NHL debut". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved 29 November 2018.
  4. Hallikainen, Topi (29 November 2018). "NHL-kierroksen topit ja flopit: Riikola saalisti ensimmäisen NHL-tehopisteensä Crosbyn hattutempussa, Matthews palasi säkenöivänä". jatkoaika.com (in Finnish). Retrieved 29 November 2018.
  5. @Penguins (29 December 2018). "GOAL! JUUSO RIIKOLA! You never forget your first. Congratulations, Juuso! The Penguins lead 2-0 with 14:47 remaining in the 2nd period" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  6. "Penguins Re-Sign Juuso Riikola to a One-Year Contract". Pittsburgh Penguins. Retrieved 30 May 2019.
  7. "Tanev OT goal helps Penguins hand Avalanche first loss of season". NHL.com.
  8. "Nämä Liiga-pelaajat mukana Leijonien MM-kisamiehistössä". liiga.fi.


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