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 |
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 | 2000–present | ||
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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
- "Jaakola to improve the defense" (in Finnish). Jokerit. 30 July 2014. Retrieved 30 July 2014.
External links
- Biographical information and career statistics from Eliteprospects.com, or Eurohockey.com, or The Internet Hockey Database