Julius Honka

Last updated

Julius Honka
Julius Honka.jpg
Honka in 2014
Born (1995-12-03) 3 December 1995 (age 27)
Jyväskylä, Finland
Height 5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
Weight 176 lb (80 kg; 12 st 8 lb)
Position Defence
Shoots Right
NL team
Former teams		 SC Bern
Dallas Stars
JYP Jyväskylä
Lahti Pelicans
Luleå HF
National teamFlag of Finland.svg  Finland
NHL Draft 14th overall, 2014
Dallas Stars
Playing career 2014–present

Julius Honka (born 3 December 1995) is a Finnish professional ice hockey defenceman for SC Bern of the National League. Honka was selected by the Dallas Stars in the first round (14th overall) of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.

Contents

Playing career

Honka was a top rated prospect [1] who was ranked #11 on the NHL Central Scouting Bureau final list of 2014 NHL Draft eligible North American skaters. [2]

During the 2012–13 season Honka played with the Finland men's national under-18 ice hockey team at both the 2013 IIHF World U18 Championships and the 2013 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament. [3] Moving to North America for the 2013–14 WHL season, he competed with Team Finland to win gold at the 2014 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships and was also selected to compete in the 2014 CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game. [4]

On 14 July 2014, Honka was signed to a three-year entry level contract with the Dallas Stars. [5] During the 2016–17 season, Honka scored his first career goal on 4 April 2017, a game winning overtime goal in a game against the Arizona Coyotes. [6]

In the following 2017–18 season, Honka was sent down to the Stars AHL affiliate, the Texas Stars, on 31 October 2017. [7] He was later recalled and remained with Dallas to appear in a career high 42 games.

Unable to cement a role at the NHL level within the Stars' blueline, Honka as a pending restricted free agent formally requested a trade from the Stars in September 2019. [8] Unable to facilitate a satisfactory trade during the off-season, on 10 October 2019, Honka signed a contract with his original Finnish club, JYP Jyväskylä of the Liiga. As a restricted free agent, the Dallas Stars would retain his rights. [9] In the 2019–20 season, making his top level Liiga debut, Honka contributed with 4 goals and 15 points through 46 regular season games before the post-season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

On 30 October 2020, Honka returned to the Dallas Stars organization after he was signed to a one-year, two-way contract worth $700,000 at the NHL level and $90,000 at the AHL level. [10] [11] Honka was placed on waivers by the Stars on 20 January 2021. After going unclaimed Honka was reassigned by Dallas to Texas appearing in 17 games at the AHL level.

Unable to further his NHL career, Honka returned to Europe and signed a two-year contract with Swedish club, Luleå HF of the SHL, on 26 May 2021. [12]

Personal life

Honka comes from a family of hockey players; his three brothers also play the same sport. [13] His younger brother Anttoni was drafted in the third round (83rd overall) by the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft and currently plays for JYP Jyväskylä of Finland's Liiga. [14]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season TeamLeagueGP G A Pts PIM GPGAPtsPIM
2011–12 JYP FIN U1826671316—————
2011–12JYP FIN U20 20000—————
2012–13JYPFIN U20424111547400025
2013–14 Swift Current Broncos WHL 621640565262026
2014–15 Texas Stars AHL 68823315531124
2015–16 Texas StarsAHL731133443840114
2016–17 Texas StarsAHL507243159—————
2016–17 Dallas Stars NHL 161454—————
2017–18 Dallas StarsNHL4213414—————
2017–18 Texas StarsAHL100226—————
2018–19 Dallas StarsNHL2904410—————
2019–20 JYP Liiga 464111516—————
2020–21 Pelicans Liiga93474—————
2020–21 Texas StarsAHL171456—————
2021–22 Luleå HF SHL 4610112122174486
NHL totals872111328—————
Liiga totals557152220—————
Medal record
Ice hockey
Representing Flag of Finland.svg  Finland
World Junior Championships
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2014 Malmö
World U18 Championships
Bronze medal icon (B initial).svg 2013 Sochi

International

YearTeamEventResultGPGAPtsPIM
2012 Finland IH18 Silver medal icon.svg50224
2013 Finland WJC18 Bronze medal icon.svg71342
2014 Finland WJC Gold medal icon.svg70116
2015 FinlandWJC7th51126
2017 Finland WC 4th101234
2018 FinlandWC5th80110
Junior totals2427918
Senior totals181344

Awards and honours

AwardsYear
WHL
CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game 2013–14 [15]
International
IIHF World U18 Championship 2013 [16]
Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament 2013 [17]
IIHF World U20 Championship gold medal 2014 [18]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jarkko Immonen</span> Finnish ice hockey player

Jarkko Immonen is a Finnish professional ice hockey forward currently playing for Mikkelin Jukurit of the Liiga.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Geoff Platt</span> Canadian ice hockey player

Geoff Platt is a Canadian–Belarusian professional ice hockey player for Tappara of Liiga.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rich Peverley</span> Canadian ice hockey player

John Richard Peverley is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He spent four years with the St. Lawrence University hockey team before turning professional, then playing three years for several teams in both the ECHL and American Hockey League (AHL). In 2007, he signed a contract with the Nashville Predators of the NHL, playing for the team for parts of three seasons before the Atlanta Thrashers claimed him off waivers in 2009. Peverley first played internationally for Team Canada at the 2010 World Championships. He retired after the 2013–14 season because of a heart ailment.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sami Vatanen</span> Finnish ice hockey player (born 1991)

Sami Vatanen is a Finnish professional ice hockey defenceman for Genève-Servette HC of the National League (NL). He was drafted in the fourth round, 106th overall, by the Anaheim Ducks at the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, and played in NHL for the Anaheim Ducks, New Jersey Devils, Carolina Hurricanes and Dallas Stars. He previously played in his native Finland for JYP, where he won the 2012 SM-liiga Championship. in 2023 Vatanen won the Swiss NL championship with Genève-Servette.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yohann Auvitu</span> French ice hockey player

Yohann Auvitu is a French professional ice hockey defenceman who is currently a free agent.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ossi Louhivaara</span> Finnish ice hockey player

Ossi Louhivaara is a Finnish former professional ice hockey player who most notably played with JYP Jyväskylä of the Liiga. Louhivaara was selected by the Ottawa Senators in the 8th round of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft.

Oula Palve is a Finnish professional ice hockey forward currently playing for Brynäs IF in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL).

Julius Nättinen is a Finnish professional ice hockey forward who is currently playing with HIFK of the Liiga. He was drafted by the Anaheim Ducks in the second round, 59th overall, in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sami Niku</span> Finnish ice hockey player (born 1996)

Sami Niku is a Finnish professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing with JYP Jyväskylä of the Liiga. Niku was selected by the Winnipeg Jets in the 7th round of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft.

Veini Vehviläinen is a Finnish professional ice hockey goaltender. He is currently playing with JYP Jyväskylä of the Liiga. He was selected in the sixth round, 173rd overall, by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alex Lintuniemi</span> Finnish ice hockey player

Alex Lintuniemi is a Finnish professional ice hockey defenceman who is currently playing with BK Mladá Boleslav in the Czech Extraliga (ELH). He was originally drafted by the Los Angeles Kings, 60th overall, in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Urho Vaakanainen</span> Finnish ice hockey player

Urho Vaakanainen is a Finnish professional ice hockey defenceman for the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected 18th overall by the Bruins in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft.

Anttoni Honka is a Finnish professional ice hockey defenceman who currently plays with the JYP Jyväskylä in the SM-liiga as a prospect to the Carolina Hurricanes of the National Hockey League (NHL). Honka was selected by the Hurricanes in the 3rd round of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft.

Petrus Palmu is a Finnish professional ice hockey forward who is currently playing with Linköping HC in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL). He was drafted 181st overall by the Vancouver Canucks in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft.

Antti Suomela is a Finnish professional ice hockey forward for Lausanne HC of the National League (NL).

Oskari Laaksonen is a Finnish professional ice hockey defenseman who is currently playing with Luleå HF of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL). He was selected by the Buffalo Sabres in the third round, 89th overall, of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft.

Patrik Puistola is a Finnish professional ice hockey right winger for Jukurit of the Finnish Liiga. Puistola was selected by the Carolina Hurricanes in the third round of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft.

Ville Ottavainen is a Finnish professional ice hockey player who is currently playing with the Coachella Valley Firebirds in the American Hockey League (AHL) as a prospect under contract to the Seattle Kraken of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected 99th overall in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft by the Kraken.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Samuel Helenius</span> Finnish-American ice hockey player

Samuel Helenius is a Finnish-American professional ice hockey forward who currently plays for the Ontario Reign in the American Hockey League (AHL) as a prospect to the Los Angeles Kings in the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected by the Kings in the second-round, 59th overall, of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joakim Kemell</span> Finnish ice hockey player

Joakim Kemell is a Finnish professional ice hockey forward who is currently playing with the Milwaukee Admirals in the American Hockey League (AHL) as a prospect to the Nashville Predators of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was touted as one of the top Finnish prospects, and was drafted 17th overall by the Predators in 2022 NHL Entry Draft.

References

  1. ↑ "Move to North America suited Julius Honka's style of play". National Hockey League . 21 June 2014. Retrieved 21 June 2014.
  2. ↑ "NHL Central Scouting Service 2014 Draft North American skaters final rankings". National Hockey League . 20 June 2014. Retrieved 20 June 2014.
  3. ↑ "Julius Honka: 2014 Top Prospect". WinnipegHockeyTalk.com. 15 June 2014. Retrieved 15 June 2014.
  4. ↑ "2014 Draft Eligibles: Julius Honka's move to North America has been worthwhile". Flyerdelphia.com. 20 February 2014. Archived from the original on 8 April 2014. Retrieved 21 June 2014.
  5. ↑ "Dallas Stars Sign Defenseman Julius Honka To Three-Year Entry-Level Contract". NHL.com. 14 July 2014. Retrieved 1 August 2018.
  6. ↑ Stepneski, Mark (5 April 2017). "Julius Honka goal lifts Stars to overtime win". NHL.com. Retrieved 1 August 2018.
  7. ↑ "Dallas Stars Download: Work in Progress Edition". The Hockey Writers. 4 November 2017.
  8. ↑ "Former first-round pick Julius Honka requests trade from Stars: 'It's time to move on'". Dallas News. 13 September 2019. Retrieved 24 October 2019.
  9. ↑ "Julius Honka vahvistamaan JYPin takalinjoja" [Julius Honka to bolster the defensive lines of JYP]. jypliiga.fi (in Finnish). JYP Jyväskylä. 10 October 2019. Retrieved 24 October 2019.
  10. ↑ "Julius Honka rejoins Stars on one-year, two-way deal". Sportsnet.ca. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
  11. ↑ "Julius Honka - CapFriendly - NHL Salary Caps". CapFriendly. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
  12. ↑ "New defenseman ready for Lulea". Luleå HF. 26 May 2021. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  13. ↑ "IIHF - Big brother is watching you". IIHF International Ice Hockey Federation. Retrieved 22 June 2019.
  14. ↑ "Anttoni Honka at eliteprospects.com". www.eliteprospects.com. Retrieved 22 June 2019.
  15. ↑ "Martin and Honka skating in Top Prospects Game tonight". The Guardian . 15 January 2014. Archived from the original on 8 April 2014. Retrieved 20 June 2014.
  16. ↑ "Julius Honka player profile". HockeysFuture.com. 22 March 2014. Retrieved 20 June 2014.
  17. ↑ "2013 Ivan Hlinka Tournament: Canada wins Gold". HockeyProspect.com. 29 August 2013. Retrieved 21 June 2014.
  18. ↑ "Honka Broncos' true golden boy after World Juniors". Prairie Post. 20 January 2014. Retrieved 21 June 2014.
Awards and achievements
Preceded by Dallas Stars first round draft pick
2014 		Succeeded by
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.