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 30)
Joensuu, Finland
Height 6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight 189 lb (86 kg; 13 st 7 lb)
Position Defence
Shoots Left
NL team
Former teams		 SCL Tigers
KalPa
Pittsburgh Penguins
IK Oskarshamn
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 SCL Tigers of the National League (NL). 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
2023–24 SCL Tigers NL 433141720—————
Liiga totals28326638912431281035
NHL totals803101318—————

International

YearTeamEventResultGPGAPtsPIM
2013 Finland WJC 7th60114
2018 Finland WC 5th80224
2024 FinlandWC8th81124
Junior totals60114
Senior totals161348

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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. 30 May 2019. 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. 5 September 2020. 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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