Joni pitkänen loukkaantuminen

Joni Pitkänen (born September 19, 1983) is a Finnish former professional ice hockeydefenceman who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for nine seasons.^[1] Drafted fourth overall by the Philadelphia Flyers in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft, he appeared in 535 regular-season games with the Flyers, Edmonton Oilers, and Carolina Hurricanes, accumulating 57 goals and 225 assists for 282 points.^[1] Internationally, Pitkänen represented Finland at the 2010 Winter Olympics, where he contributed to the team's bronze medal win, and earned bronze medals at the 2002 and 2003 IIHF World Junior Championships.^[2] His career was marked by strong offensive contributions from the blue line, including a career-high 46 points in the 2005–06 season and selection to the NHL All-Rookie Team in 2003–04, though it was also hampered by recurring injuries that led to his retirement in 2016.^[1]Pitkänen began his professional career in Finland's SM-liiga with Kärpät Oulu, where he played from 2000 to 2003 before moving to North America.^[3] After being drafted, he debuted with the Flyers in the 2003–04 season, quickly establishing himself as a top-pairing defenceman with excellent skating and playmaking abilities.^[4] Traded to the Edmonton Oilers in 2007, he spent one season there before being traded to the Carolina Hurricanes in 2008, where he enjoyed his most productive years, including leading the team's defencemen in scoring during the 2009–10 season with an average time on ice of 27:22 per game.^[5] A severe heelinjury in 2013 sidelined him for nearly three years, prompting a brief comeback with Kärpät in 2016 before he officially retired.^[1]Following his playing career, Pitkänen transitioned to scouting, serving as a European scout for the Carolina Hurricanes from 2016 to 2018.^[6] At 6 feet 3 inches and 220 pounds, he was known for his physical presence combined with offensive flair, making him one of Finland's premier export defencemen of his era.^[1]

Early life and junior career

Early life

Joni Pitkänen was born on September 19, 1983, in Oulu, Finland.^[3][2]Oulu, a northern city known for its strong ice hockey tradition, provided an ideal environment for Pitkänen's early exposure to the sport, with the local club Kärpät serving as a cornerstone of the community's hockey culture.^[7] Kärpät, founded in 1946, has long emphasized youth development, fostering a pipeline of talent that has contributed to the club's success and the region's passion for hockey.^[7]Pitkänen began participating in youth hockey through local Finnish clubs in Oulu, starting his organized play with Kärpät's junior teams around age 14.^[2] He progressed through Kärpät's U16, U18, and U20 programs from 1997 to 2002, gaining foundational experience in competitive youth leagues before entering more structured junior competition.

In his rookie 2003–04 season, he appeared in 71 games, recording 8 goals and 19 assists for 27 points while posting a +15 plus-minus rating.^[5] His performance earned him a spot on the NHL All-Rookie Team and selection to the 2004 YoungStars Game, where he represented the Eastern Conference alongside other top young defensemen.^[11][12]The 2004–05 NHL lockout kept Pitkänen in the AHL with the Phantoms, where he excelled on a talented roster that included future NHL stars like Jeff Carter and Mike Richards.

After a good opening season that saw Pitkänen cement his place on the team lineup, he played for the Philadelphia Phantoms during the 2004–05 NHL lockout when the team won the Calder Cup. When the NHL resumed in 2005, Pitkänen returned to the Flyers and became the team's top-scoring defenseman, recording 46 points in 58 games.

During his rookie season, Pitkänen was ranked second among NHL rookies in powerplay points (5+12=17) and powerplay assists. Ei edes Pitkäsen kaltaiselta, puolustuspään kiekkolliselta huipputekijältä.

- Nyt on mentävä vain omien tuntemusten mukaan. His 43 points in 2006–07 ranked him 22nd, while his career-high 13+33=46 in 2005–06 placed him 19th.

He was also named to the tournament's Media All-Star Team that year. Aika näyttää mihin suuntaan tässä ollaan oikein menossa ja mitä jatko tuo tullessaan. 8 February 2024.

Web site: joni Pitkanen hopes to resume career . By the 2001–2002 season, his U20 involvement was limited to one playoff game, reflecting his rapid maturation toward professional levels.^[3]Pitkänen's junior career gained international exposure through tournaments that amplified scout interest.

Representing Finland at the 2002 IIHF World U20 Championship in the Czech Republic, he logged 7 games with 1 goal and 3 assists for 4 points, helping secure a bronze medal and demonstrating composure under pressure against top global prospects.^[2][8] These efforts, combined with his domestic showings, drew attention from NHL scouts for his imposing 6-foot-3, 202-pound frame, fluid skating stride, and offensive instincts from the blue line, positioning him as a high-upside defenseman.^[9]This recognition culminated in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft, where the Philadelphia Flyers selected Pitkänen fourth overall in the first round, valuing his size, mobility, and potential to become a top-pairing player.^[3]

Professional career

Philadelphia Flyers

Pitkänen joined the Philadelphia Flyers organization following his selection fourth overall in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft and made his NHL debut on October 9, 2003, against the New York Islanders, shortly after arriving in North America.^[10] Assigned briefly to the Flyers' AHL affiliate, the Philadelphia Phantoms, he was quickly recalled to the NHL roster.

His junior and early senior stints showcased his offensive potential from the blue line, averaging nearly 0.4 points per game in his final full season (2002–03: 35 games, 5 goals, 15 assists).^[1]During the 2004–05 NHL lockout, Pitkänen honed his skills in the American Hockey League (AHL) with the Philadelphia Phantoms, affiliates of the Flyers.

He was also among the 2006–07 NHL blueline leaders in assists (16th) and ice time (20th with 24:32 minutes per-game).

On 1 July 2007, Pitkänen was traded to the Edmonton Oilers along with Geoff Sanderson and a third round draft choice in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft in exchange for Jason Smith and Joffrey Lupul. Ainoa ajatus on se, että jokaisesta vaihdosta on vain nautittava ja otettava kaikki irti, Pitkänen painottaa suuremmin analysoimatta.

Isot ympyrät: NHL?

Maajoukkue?

Optimistisimmat jääkiekon ystävät saavat kevään aikana varmasti lisää vettä myllyyn, mikäli Joni Pitkäsen pelaaminen on samaa tasoa mitä häneltä huippuvuosinaan nähtiin.