Juuso Riikola

Last updated

Juuso Riikola
Juuso Riikola 2019-01-06 1.jpg
Riikola with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2019
Born (1993-11-09) 9 November 1993 (age 29)
Joensuu, Finland
Height 6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight 189 lb (86 kg; 13 st 7 lb)
Position Defence
Shoots Left
SHL team
Former teams		 IK Oskarshamn
KalPa
Pittsburgh Penguins
National teamFlag of Finland.svg  Finland
NHL Draft Undrafted
Playing career 2012–present

Juuso Riikola (born 9 November 1993) is a Finnish professional ice hockey defenseman currently playing with IK Oskarshamn of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL). His brother, Simo-Pekka also played professionally.

Contents

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]

On 5 September 2020, the Penguins signed Riikola to a two-year, $2.3 million extension. [8]

After four seasons within the Penguins organization and as a pending free agent, Riikola opted to return to Europe in securing a one-year contract with Swedish club, IK Oskarshamn of the SHL, on 25 May 2022. [9]

International play

Riikola played for the Finland national team at the 2018 IIHF World Championship. [10]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season TeamLeagueGP G A Pts PIM GPGAPtsPIM
2010–11 KalPa Jr. A28371024—————
2011–12KalPaJr. A3749136582136
2012–13KalPaJr. A1423512—————
2012–13 KalPa SM-l 200666—————
2013–14 KalPaLiiga5414528—————
2013–14KalPaJr. A602210—————
2014–15 KalPaLiiga40681424410125
2014–15KalPaJr. A10002—————
2015–16 KalPaLiiga51510152430112
2016–17 KalPaLiiga596192528181674
2017–18 KalPaLiiga59816241460114
2018–19 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL 3723510—————
2018–19 Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins AHL 50220—————
2019–20 Pittsburgh PenguinsNHL361676—————
2020–21 Pittsburgh PenguinsNHL20000—————
2021–22 Wilkes-Barre/Scranton PenguinsAHL53134352460000
2021–22 Pittsburgh PenguinsNHL50112—————
2022–23 IK Oskarshamn SHL 42217191620000
Liiga totals28326638912431281035
NHL totals803101318—————

International

YearTeamEventResultGPGAPtsPIM
2013 Finland WJC 7th60114
2018 Finland WC 5th80224
Junior totals60114
Senior totals80224

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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. ↑ "Penguins Re-Sign Defenseman Juuso Riikola to a Two-Year Contract". Pittsburgh Penguins. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
  9. ↑ "Juuso Riikola joins from Pittsburgh Penguins organization" (in Swedish). IK Oskarshamn. 25 May 2022. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
  10. ↑ "Nämä Liiga-pelaajat mukana Leijonien MM-kisamiehistössä". liiga.fi.
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