Juuso Riikola

Juuso Riikola
Riikola with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2019
Born (1993-11-09) 9 November 1993 (age 31)
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 team  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.

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 Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2010–11 KalPa Jr. A 28 3 7 10 24 — — — — —
2011–12 KalPa Jr. A 37 4 9 13 65 8 2 1 3 6
2012–13 KalPa Jr. A 14 2 3 5 12 — — — — —
2012–13 KalPa SM-l 20 0 6 6 6 — — — — —
2013–14 KalPa Liiga 54 1 4 5 28 — — — — —
2013–14 KalPa Jr. A 6 0 2 2 10 — — — — —
2014–15 KalPa Liiga 40 6 8 14 24 4 1 0 1 25
2014–15 KalPa Jr. A 1 0 0 0 2 — — — — —
2015–16 KalPa Liiga 51 5 10 15 24 3 0 1 1 2
2016–17 KalPa Liiga 59 6 19 25 28 18 1 6 7 4
2017–18 KalPa Liiga 59 8 16 24 14 6 0 1 1 4
2018–19 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL 37 2 3 5 10 — — — — —
2018–19 Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins AHL 5 0 2 2 0 — — — — —
2019–20 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL 36 1 6 7 6 — — — — —
2020–21 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL 2 0 0 0 0 — — — — —
2021–22 Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins AHL 53 1 34 35 24 6 0 0 0 0
2021–22 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL 5 0 1 1 2 — — — — —
2022–23 IK Oskarshamn SHL 42 2 17 19 16 2 0 0 0 0
2023–24 SCL Tigers NL 43 3 14 17 20 — — — — —
Liiga totals 283 26 63 89 124 31 2 8 10 35
NHL totals 80 3 10 13 18 — — — — —

International

Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2013 Finland WJC 7th 6 0 1 1 4
2018 Finland WC 5th 8 0 2 2 4
2024 Finland WC 8th 8 1 1 2 4
Junior totals 6 0 1 1 4
Senior totals 16 1 3 4 8

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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