Henri Nikkanen Explained

Birth Date:April 28, 2001
Birth Place:Mikkeli, Finland
Height Ft:6
Height In:2
Weight Lb:185
Position:Centre
Shoots:Left
Team:Winnipeg Jets
League:NHL
Prospect Team:Manitoba Moose
Prospect League:AHL
Former Teams:Jukurit
Lahti Pelicans
Draft:113th overall
Draft Year:2019
Draft Team:Winnipeg Jets
Career Start:2018

Henri Nikkanen (born April 28, 2001) is a Finnish professional ice hockey centre currently playing for the Manitoba Moose in the American Hockey League (AHL) as a prospect to the Winnipeg Jets of the National Hockey League (NHL).

Playing career

Nikkanen made his Liiga debut for his hometown team Jukurit during the 2018–19 Liiga season. He played nine regular season games and scored two goals.[1] He was drafted 113th overall by the Winnipeg Jets in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft.[2]

On 15 April 2021, Nikkanen left Jukurit to sign a two-year contract with fellow Liiga club, Lahti Pelicans.[3] [4] In the 2021–22 season, Nikkanen made 60 appearances in his lone season with the Pelicans, contributing with 7 goals and 12 points.

On 10 April 2022, Nikkanen was signed to a three-year, entry-level contract with draft club, the Winnipeg Jets. He immediately joined AHL affiliate, the Manitoba Moose for the remainder of the season.[5]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Team League GP GP G A Pts PIM
2016–17JYP JyväskyläJr. A133811231010
2017–18JYP JyväskyläJr. A50 20 18 38 104 0 2 2 0
2018–19JukuritJr. A14 2 7 9 18
2018–19JukuritLiiga9 2 0 2 0
2018–19KetteräMestis2 1 0 1 0
2019–20JukuritJr. A28 13 15 28 23 4 0 4 0
2019–20JukuritLiiga27 0 3 3 8
2020–21JukuritLiiga47 7 13 20 12
2021–22Lahti PelicansLiiga60 7 5 12 83 0 0 0 0
2021–22Manitoba MooseAHL4 0 0 0 21 0 0 0 0
2022–23Manitoba MooseAHL66 5 11 16 245 0 0 0 0
2023–24Manitoba MooseAHL57 7 5 12 162 0 0 0 0
Liiga totals143162137283 0 0 0 0

International

YearTeamEventResultGPGAPtsPIM
2017FinlandU176th53250
2018FinlandHG187th42464
2021FinlandWJC72130
Junior totals 1677144

Notes and References

  1. http://www.eurohockey.com/player/582130-henri-nikkanen.html Henri Nikkanen profile - Eurohockey.com
  2. Web site: Jets' Henri Nikkanen: Potential steal late in draft . . 26 June 2019 . 26 June 2019.
  3. Web site: Pelicans announce signings . . 15 April 2021 . 15 April 2021 . Finnish.
  4. Web site: Henri Nikkanen player profile . Jatkoaika.com . March 2, 2020 . March 2, 2020. Finnish.
  5. Web site: Jets sign forwards Henri Nikkanen and Daniel Torgersson to entry-level contracts . . 10 April 2022 . 10 April 2022.