Mikko Vainonen

Last updated

Mikko Vainonen
Born (1994-04-11) 11 April 1994 (age 31)
Helsinki, Finland
Height 6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Weight 222 lb (101 kg; 15 st 12 lb)
Position Defence
Shoots Left
team
Former teams
Free Agent
HIFK
Milwaukee Admirals
SaiPa
Ässät Pori
Krefeld Pinguine
Vaasan Sport
Orli Znojmo
Dornbirn Bulldogs
HC Frýdek-Místek
SG Cortina
Glasgow Clan
NHL draft 118th overall, 2012
Nashville Predators
Playing career 2011present

Mikko Vainonen (born 11 April 1994) is a Finnish professional ice hockey defenceman who was last under contract with Glasgow Clan in the Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL).

Contents

Early life

Mikko Vainonen was a hard-working defenceman in his childhood. He played a lot of floorball with his friends in residential Helsinki.

Playing career

He made his professional debut playing with HIFK of the SM-liiga during the 2011–12 SM-liiga season. He was selected in the fourth round, 118th overall, of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft by the Nashville Predators. In the following season and pursuit of his NHL ambition, he moved to North America to play major junior after he was drafted in the 2012 CHL import draft in the 1st round, 6th overall by the Kingston Frontenacs of the Ontario Hockey League.

On 24 May 2013, he was signed to a three-year entry-level contract with the Nashville Predators. [1] Vainonen split time between Nashville's farm teams the Milwaukee Admirals of the American Hockey League and the Cincinnati Cyclones of the ECHL over the next two seasons, before being loaned to Liiga's SaiPa to finish the 2014–15 season.

At the start of the 2015–16 NHL season Vainonen and Nashville agreed to mutually terminate his contract, allowing him to seek employment elsewhere. [2] He returned to his native Finland, coming to terms with Ässät Pori of the top-tier Liiga.

After parts of two seasons with German club Krefeld Pinguine of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga, Vainonen returned to the Liiga, securing a one-year deal with his fourth Finnish club, Vaasan Sport, on 29 March 2018. [3]

On June 19, 2019, Vainonen opted to continue in the EBEL agreeing to a one-year contract with the Dornbirn Bulldogs. [4]

In a COVID-19 affected 2020–21 season, Vainonen played for Orli Znojmo, HC Frýdek-Místek, and Italian side SG Cortina.

In August 2021, Vainonen agreed terms with Scottish EIHL side Glasgow Clan for the 2021–22 season. [5]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season TeamLeagueGP G A Pts PIM GPGAPtsPIM
2011–12 HIFK Liiga 80002
2012–13 Kingston Frontenacs OHL 55418224242132
2013–14 Kingston FrontenacsOHL57414187371348
2013–14 Milwaukee Admirals AHL 20000
2014–15 Cincinnati Cyclones ECHL 3105516
2014–15 SaiPa Liiga 1901114702233
2015–16 Ässät Liiga3915663
2016–17 ÄssätLiiga150116
2016–17 Krefeld Pinguine DEL 2841534
2017–18 Krefeld PinguineDEL4413445
2018–19 Vaasan Sport Liiga1102218
2018–19 Orli Znojmo EBEL 286111718522412
2019–20 Dornbirn Bulldogs EBEL503101338
2020–21Orli Znojmo Czech 2.Liga 11232
2020–21 HC Frýdek-Místek Chance Liga 50008
2020–21 SG Cortina AlpsHL 191563550224
2020–21SG Cortina Italy 20000
2021–22 Glasgow Clan EIHL 44391246
Liiga totals921910103702233
Medal record
Representing Flag of Finland.svg Finland
Ice hockey
World Junior Championships
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2014 Malmö

International

YearTeamEventResultGPGAPtsPIM
2011 Finland U17 7th502210
2012 Finland WJC18 4th70448
2014 Finland WJC Gold medal icon.svg70224
Junior totals1908822

References

  1. "Predators sign 2012 fourth-round pick Mikko Vainonen". Nashville Predators . 24 May 2013. Retrieved 24 May 2013.
  2. Tim Wharnsby (9 October 2015). "Mikko Vainonen clears unconditional waivers". Twitter . Retrieved 9 October 2015.
  3. "Mikko Vainonen confirmed signing for Sport" (in Finnish). Vaasan Sport. 29 March 2018. Retrieved 29 March 2018.
  4. "Three new arrivals" (in German). Dornbirn Bulldogs. 19 June 2019. Retrieved 19 June 2019.[ permanent dead link ]
  5. "SIGNING: Clan snap up Vainonen | Glasgow Clan Ice Hockey Club". 11 August 2021.