Topi Jaakola

Topi Jaakola (born 15 November 1983) is a Finnish professional ice hockey defenceman who is currently playing for the ZSC Lions in the National League (NL). He was drafted by the Florida Panthers, 134th overall, in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft however opted to remain in Europe to pursue his professional career. Internationally he has represented Finland at several World Championships, where he won the 2011 World Championship.

Topi Jaakola
Jaakola (left) at the 2016 IIHF World Championship
Born (1983-11-15) 15 November 1983
Oulu, Finland
Height 6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight 198 lb (90 kg; 14 st 2 lb)
Position Defence
Shoots Left
NL team
Former teams
ZSC Lions
Oulun Kärpät
Södertälje SK
Luleå HF
Amur Khabarovsk
HC Lev Praha
Jokerit
HV71
HC TPS
National team  Finland
NHL Draft 134th overall, 2002
Florida Panthers
Playing career 2000present

Playing career

He played his first games at senior level during the 2000–01 season and became a regular player during the following season. He spent his entire Finnish career in the Liiga with Oulun Kärpät, winning four championships (2004, 2005, 2007, 2008). For the 2008–09 season he moved to Sweden to play in Södertälje SK.

On 30 July 2014, at the completion of his contract with HC Lev Praha, Jaakola remained in the KHL but returned to Finland in agreeing to a two-year contract with Jokerit.[1]

International play

Jaakola has played for Finland at seven World Championships. He won the gold at the 2011 World Championship and a silver in 2016. He also played for the Finnish national junior team, and won bronze medals in 2002 and 2003.

References

  1. "Jaakola to improve the defense" (in Finnish). Jokerit. 30 July 2014. Retrieved 30 July 2014.


This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.