Jarmo Wasama

Born (1943-12-02)December 2, 1943
Elimäki, Finland
Died February 2, 1966(1966-02-02) (aged 22)
Tampere, Finland
Height 6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight 184 lb (83 kg; 13 st 2 lb)
Position Defence
Shot Left
Played for SM-sarja
Ilves
National team  Finland
Playing career 1960–1966

Jarmo Sakari Wasama (December 2, 1943 in Elimäki, Finland – February 2, 1966 in Tampere, Finland) was an ice hockey player who played in the SM-sarja. He played for Ilves. He was inducted into the Finnish Hockey Hall of Fame in 1985. Wasama won two championships (one after death), one silver and two bronzes. He was elected to all-star team 5 times (one after death).

Wasama possessed good skills for a defenseman in Finland and it is much speculated would Wasama have been the first Finnish player in the NHL. He competed in the men's tournament at the 1964 Winter Olympics.[1]

In February 1966, Wasama lost his life in an automobile accident that resulted from foggy weather conditions. While on his way home from practice, Wasama's car struck a tractor which had stalled on the road. Wasama's car also had a passenger, his father, who did suffer some injuries but survived the accident. Wasama's father, Matti was also a former Ilves-player.

Wasama's jersey number 2 was immediately retired from use by Ilves.

The trophy which is handed out to the best "rookie" player in SM-liiga is named as Jarmo Wasama memorial trophy in honour of Wasama.

International play

Despite his young age by the time of his death Wasama had already played 74 times for national team including 3 World Championship tournaments and 1 Olympics.

The list included the 1965 World Championship tournament which was the first one held in Finland

International statistics

Year Team Event   GP G A Pts PIM
1962 Finland WCh 7 0 3 3 0
1963 Finland WCh 7 1 1 2 4
1964 Finland Oly 8 0 1 1 6
1965 Finland WCh 7 3 1 4 2
Senior International Totals 73 7 12 19 12

Career statistics

    Regular Season   Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
1960-61 Ilves SM-liiga 18 4 2 6 28 -- -- -- -- --
1961-62 Ilves SM-liiga 18 3 4 7 18 -- -- -- -- --
1962-63 Ilves SM-liiga 18 9 5 14 16 -- -- -- -- --
1963-64 Ilves SM-liiga 18 4 4 8 4 -- -- -- -- --
1964-65 Ilves SM-liiga 18 3 4 7 7 -- -- -- -- --
1965-66 Ilves SM-liiga 16 4 3 7 14 -- -- -- -- --
SM-liiga Totals 106 27 22 49 87 -- -- -- -- --

References

  1. ^ Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. "Jarmo Wasama Olympic Results". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 17 April 2020. Retrieved 16 May 2019.