2011-12 SEASON
Completed his third season with Jokerit (SM-Liiga), earning a career-high seven assists in 26 games… Also skated in 20 games with Kiekko-Vantaa of Finland’s second division, totaling 12 points (5g, 7a).
CAREER
Entering 2012-13, had 11 assists and 42 penalty minutes in 86 career games with Jokerit in Finland’s top league, SM-Liiga… Signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Hurricanes on 6/1/11, which allowed him to play for Jokerit during the 2011-12 season before beginning his North American professional career in 2012-13… Is from the same hometown as Hurricanes forward Tuomo Ruutu, who also played in the Jokerit system… Has represented Finland in more than a dozen international tournaments including the 2009 and 2010 World Junior Championships and the 2008 U-18 World Junior Championship… Was the sixth overall pick in the 2008 CHL Import Draft… Played one season of junior hockey in Canada with Red Deer (WHL), ranking second among Rebels defensemen in scoring with 22 points (1g, 21a) in 65 games in 2008-09… Saw his first action in Finland’s top league in 2009-10, notching two assists in 22 games with Jokerit (SM-Liiga)… Set career highs in games played (38) and penalty minutes (22) for Jokerit in 2010-11… Appeared in all seven of Jokerit’s 2011 playoff games, as they were edged in seven games by eventual SM-Liiga champion Helsinki IFK in the quarterfinals.
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