Sami Helenius

Last updated
Sami Helenius
Sam Helenius @ Kopparberg Street Hockey.jpg
Born (1974-01-22) January 22, 1974 (age 50)
Helsinki, Finland
Height 6 ft 6 in (198 cm)
Weight 230 lb (104 kg; 16 st 6 lb)
Position Defence
Shot Left
Played for Jokerit
Pelicans
Calgary Flames
Tampa Bay Lightning
Colorado Avalanche
Dallas Stars
Chicago Blackhawks
Ilves
National teamFlag of Finland.svg  Finland
NHL draft 102nd overall, 1992
Calgary Flames
Playing career 19922010

Sami "Helge" Helenius (born January 22, 1974) is a Finnish former professional ice hockey defenceman who played predominantly in the SM-liiga and National Hockey League. He most recently was in a coaching role with Haukat of the Suomi-sarja.

Contents

Playing career

Helenius was drafted by the Calgary Flames as their fifth-round pick, 102nd overall, in the 1992 NHL Entry Draft. He started his professional career in Jokerit in the Finnish SM-liiga in 1992, and made his way to North America for the 1994–95 season, and after spending five years mostly in the minor leagues, Helenius took his place as an NHL defenceman, playing for several teams. Helenius became known as "the Fighting Finn," as he was one of the few Europeans to play in an enforcer role in North American hockey leagues.

In 2003, he returned to Finland to play in the SM-liiga again. After a year with Jokerit where he served as team captain, Helenius represented both Ilves and Pelicans before returning to Jokerit after the 2006–07 season.

After three seasons with Jokerit and during the 2009–10 season, Helenius rejoined previous club Pelicans on November 13, 2009. [1] After finishing the season out with Pelicans, Helenius agreed to join HC Keski-Uusimaa of the Suomi-sarja as a player-coach for the 2010–11 season on August 4, 2010, however only opted to coach upon the resumption of the season. [2]

Coaching career

In the summer of 2022, Helenius signed a 1+1 year contract with the Kouvola KooKoo.

"I look forward to new challenges at KooKoo! I’ve been watching the Liiga for a couple of years up close and I'm aware of the demands and currents of modern hockey, but I want to bring those good 'old school' elements to the game as well," Helenius said.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season TeamLeagueGP G A Pts PIM GPGAPtsPIM
1990–91 Jokerit FIN U2020000
1991–92JokeritFIN.2 U2013448241433624
1992–93JokeritFIN.2 U20322441323518
1992–93 Jokerit SM-l 10000
1992–93 Vantaa HT FIN.2 2123550
1993–94 Reipas Lahti FIN.2 U20110121134748
1993–94 Reipas LahtiSM-l3723546
1994–95 Saint John Flames AHL 69257217
1995–96 Saint John FlamesAHL68033231100009
1996–97 Saint John FlamesAHL725101521820000
1996–97 Calgary Flames NHL 30110
1997–98 Saint John FlamesAHL63123185
1997–98 Las Vegas Thunder IHL 1001119400025
1998–99 Las Vegas ThunderIHL42235193
1998–99 Calgary FlamesNHL40008
1998–99 Chicago Wolves IHL400011
1998–99 Tampa Bay Lightning NHL410115
1998–99 Hershey Bears AHL800029500016
1999–2000 Hershey BearsAHL1201131900040
1999–2000 Colorado Avalanche NHL3300046
2000–01 Dallas Stars NHL571239910000
2001–02 Dallas StarsNHL3900058
2002–03 Dallas StarsNHL50006
2002–03 Utah Grizzlies AHL400014
2002–03 Chicago Blackhawks NHL1001128
2003–04 JokeritSM-l55011103
2004–05 Ilves SM-l5300016270224
2005–06 PelicansSM-l53134151
2006–07 PelicansSM-l5310112660002
2007–08 JokeritSM-l491671981300029
2008–09 JokeritSM-l450007620002
2009–10 JokeritSM-l1400020
2009–10PelicansSM-l34022170
SM-l totals3945152010522802237
AHL totals296821299252600065
NHL totals15524626010000

International

YearTeamEventResultGPGAPtsPIM
1992 Finland EJC 4th600022
1993 Finland WJC 5th70116
2003 Finland WC 5th20000
Junior totals1301128
Senior totals20000

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References

  1. "Helenius Pelicans, Brooks Jokerit" (in Finnish). Jokerit. 2009-11-13. Retrieved 2010-06-01.
  2. "Helenuis, Sammit join HCK crew!" (in Finnish). hckjt.fe. 2010-08-04. Archived from the original on 2011-07-20. Retrieved 2011-02-22.