Kaj Linna (ice hockey)

Last updated
Kaj Linna
Born (1971-01-24) 24 January 1971 (age 52)
Helsinki, Finland
Height 6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight 209 lb (95 kg; 14 st 13 lb)
Position Defenseman
Shot Left
Played for Boston University
Prince Edward Island Senators
HIFK
Milwaukee Admirals
National teamFlag of Finland.svg  Finland
NHL Draft 183rd overall, 1995
Ottawa Senators
Playing career 1991–1998
Medal record
Representing Flag of Finland.svg Finland
Men's ice hockey
World Championships
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg 1998 Switzerland

Kaj Linna (born 24 January 1971) is a Finnish former professional ice hockey defenseman who was a two-time All-American for Boston University [1] and won a Liiga championship in 1998.

Contents

Career

Linna was a member of Finland's under-18 team at the 1989 European championships and continued to make a name for himself in his home country. He received a scholarship to Boston University in 1991 and was part of the increased influx of European players into college hockey following the collapse of the Soviet Union. Linna was a top defenseman for the Terriers almost from the start, being named an All-American as a sophomore and helping BU reach the first of five consecutive Frozen Fours. [2] While his offensive production dipped as a junior, he picked up the pace in the postseason and got the Terriers to make an appearance in the championship game. For his final season with BU, Linna's offense returned to normal and he was named to the All-American squad for a second time. He pushed the Terriers to a second consecutive Hockey East championship and then helped the team win the 1995 NCAA Championship, assisting on the game-winning goal in the final match.

Due to a new CBA for the NHL in 1995, Linna was eligible to be drafted despite being 24 at the time. With a very successful college career on his resume, he was taken by the Ottawa Senators in the 8th round. He then began his professional career in Ottawa's farm system leading the defense in scoring. After the season he decided to return home and played for HIFK for two years. In 1998 he helped HIFK win the league championship without losing a single game in the postseason. He capped off the year by winning a silver medal with the Finnish National Team at the World Championships.

Linna returned to North America the following year for a second attempt at reaching the NHL. He played 11 games for the Milwaukee Admirals before suffering a neck injury that ended his career.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

  Regular Season Playoffs
SeasonTeamLeagueGP G A Pts PIM GPGAPtsPIM
1990–91 HIFK FIN U20 10000—————
1990–91 Karhu–Kissat FIN.2 4028108—————
1991–92 Boston University HE 337142146—————
1992–93 Boston UniversityHE362272971—————
1993–94 Boston UniversityHE344131726—————
1994–95 Boston UniversityHE367202726—————
1995–96 PEI Senators AHL 67624303251234
1996–97 HIFK SM-l 469122179—————
1997–98 HIFKSM-l45810187191458
1998–99 Milwaukee Admirals IHL 1101125—————
HE totals139207494169—————
SM-l totals91172239150914588

International

YearTeamEventGPGAPtsPIM
1989 Finland EJC 60004
1998 Finland WC 1000010
Senior totals1000010

Awards and honors

AwardYear
All-Hockey East Second Team 1992–93 [3]
AHCA East Second-Team All-American 1992–93 [1]
Hockey East All-Tournament Team 1994 [4]
All-Hockey East Second Team 1994–95 [5]
AHCA East Second-Team All-American 1994–95 [1]
All-NCAA All-Tournament Team 1995 [6]

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References

  1. 1 2 3 "Men's Ice Hockey Award Winners" (PDF). NCAA.org. Retrieved June 11, 2013.
  2. ↑ "Boston University men's Hockey 2017-18 Record Book" (PDF). Boston University Terriers. Retrieved 2018-08-28.
  3. ↑ "Hockey East All-Teams". College Hockey Historical Archives. Retrieved May 19, 2013.
  4. ↑ "2013–14 Hockey East Media Guide". Hockey East. Retrieved May 19, 2014.
  5. ↑ "Hockey East All-Teams". College Hockey Historical Archives. Retrieved May 19, 2013.
  6. ↑ "NCAA Frozen Four Records" (PDF). NCAA.org. Retrieved 2013-06-19.
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