Joni Pitkänen
| Joni Pitkänen | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 |
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| Born |
19 September 1983 Oulu, Finland |
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| Height | 6 ft 3 in (191 cm) | ||
| Weight | 213 lb (97 kg; 15 st 3 lb) | ||
| Position | Defence | ||
| Shot | Left | ||
| Played for |
Oulun Kärpät Philadelphia Flyers Edmonton Oilers Carolina Hurricanes |
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| National team |
 Finland
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| NHL Draft | 4th overall, 2002 Philadelphia Flyers |
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| Playing career | 2000–2016 | ||
| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
| Men's ice hockey | ||
| Representing Finland
|
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| Olympic Games | ||
 |
2010 Vancouver | |
| World Junior Championships | ||
|
2002 Pardubice | |
|
2003 Nova Scotia | |
Joni Pitkänen (born 19 September 1983) is a Finnish former professional ice hockey defenceman who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Philadelphia Flyers, Edmonton Oilers, and Carolina Hurricanes.
Pitkänen started his pro hockey career in the Kärpät organization in the Finnish SM-liiga, and after three seasons there he crossed the Atlantic to play for the Philadelphia Flyers, who drafted him in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft with their first round draft pick (fourth overall). After a good opening season that saw Pitkänen cement his place on the team lineup, he played for the Philadelphia Phantoms during the 2004–05 NHL lockout when the team won the Calder Cup. When the NHL resumed in 2005, Pitkänen returned to the Flyers and became the team's top-scoring defenseman, recording 46 points in 58 games. However, he was hampered by injuries during the second half of the season.
When Joni Pitkänen came to the United States to play for the Philadelphia Flyers, he hardly spoke a word of English, so teammate and fellow Finn Sami Kapanen translated for him, and eventually taught him English.
On 14 July 2006, Pitkänen signed a one-year, $2 million contract with Philadelphia.[1] A key member of the Flyers' powerplay unit, Pitkänen was tied for second in powerplay scoring in 2006–07 with 1–17–18 and led Philadelphia in powerplay assists. During his rookie season, Pitkänen was ranked second among NHL rookies in powerplay points (5–12–17) and powerplay assists. The 23-year-old defenseman led in ice time in each of the last two seasons with Philadelphia.
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