Jesse Niinimäki

Jesse Niinimäki
Born (1983-08-19) August 19, 1983 (age 41)
Tampere, Finland
Height 6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Weight 195 lb (88 kg; 13 st 13 lb)
Position Centre
Shot Left
Played for Ilves
Edmonton Road Runners
Jokerit
JYP Jyväskylä
Luleå HF
Krefeld Pinguine
HC Davos
HPK
HDD Olimpija Ljubljana
Lahti Pelicans
Amur Khabarovsk
Brynäs IF
HC Fassa
Yunost Minsk
NHL draft 15th overall, 2002
Edmonton Oilers
Playing career 2000–2018

Jesse Niinimäki (born August 19, 1983) is a Finnish professional ice hockey forward who is currently a free agent. He was last under contract with the Nikko Icebucks of the Asia League Ice Hockey having signed for the team on July 20, 2017, but ultimately never played for the team. Niinimäki was selected by the Edmonton Oilers in the first round, 15th overall, of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft.

Playing career

Niinimäki spent the 2004–05 season with the Edmonton Road Runners in the American Hockey League (AHL) and Ilves, then signed with Jokerit for the 2005–06 season. After a disappointing fall season, Niinimäki was released from his contract with Jokerit in January 2006 and signed by JYP for the rest of the season.[1]

After the 2005–06 season, Niinimäki moved to Sweden and played for Elitserien side Luleå HF in 37 games. Niinimäki also played for Deutsche Eishockey Liga team Krefeld Pinguine. His tenure in Germany lasted for nine regular season and two playoff games. After the 2006–07 season, Niinimäki returned to Luleå HF but was released in September 2007. Niinimäki was acquired by Swiss Nationalliga A team HC Davos, but in January 2008, he returned to HPK.

Personal life

He is the son of former Finnish international footballer, Jari Niinimäki.[2]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
1999–2000 Tappara FIN U18 14 0 0 0 4 — — — — —
1999–2000 Ilves FIN U18 14 0 5 5 6 — — — — —
2000–01 Ilves FIN U18 16 3 5 8 40 — — — — —
2000–01 Ilves FIN U20 18 2 4 6 6 — — — — —
2001–02 Ilves FIN U20 27 9 23 32 54 — — — — —
2001–02 Ilves SM-liiga 16 2 4 6 4 3 0 0 0 0
2002–03 Ilves FIN U20 6 0 3 3 2 — — — — —
2002–03 Ilves SM-liiga 41 4 13 17 12 — — — — —
2002–03 Sport Mestis 2 0 1 1 10 — — — — —
2003–04 Ilves SM-liiga 10 3 3 6 2 — — — — —
2004–05 Ilves SM-liiga 18 4 4 8 8 — — — — —
2004–05 Edmonton Road Runners AHL 24 1 0 1 2 — — — — —
2005–06 Jokerit SM-liiga 34 4 8 12 14 — — — — —
2005–06 JYP SM-liiga 19 6 8 14 12 3 0 0 0 0
2006–07 Luleå HF SEL 37 7 8 15 20 — — — — —
2006–07 Krefeld Pinguine DEL 9 4 9 13 4 2 1 0 1 0
2007–08 Luleå HF SEL 5 0 0 0 0 — — — — —
2007–08 HC Davos NLA 5 1 0 1 4 — — — — —
2007–08 HPK SM-liiga 17 1 4 5 4 — — — — —
2008–09 HDD Olimpija Ljubljana AUT 8 1 1 2 8 — — — — —
2008–09 LeKi Mestis 2 1 0 1 0 — — — — —
2008–09 Ilves SM-liiga 24 4 2 6 18 3 0 0 0 0
2009–10 Ilves SM-liiga 55 14 20 34 36 — — — — —
2009–10 LeKi Mestis 3 1 2 3 0 — — — — —
2010–11 Ilves SM-liiga 57 17 32 49 20 6 1 5 6 2
2011–12 Ilves SM-liiga 47 5 31 36 20 — — — — —
2012–13 Ilves SM-liiga 27 2 9 11 4 — — — — —
2012–13 Pelicans SM-liiga 16 2 6 8 6 — — — — —
2013–14 Pelicans Liiga 50 9 20 29 14 7 0 2 2 0
2014–15 Amur Khabarovsk KHL 23 4 2 6 22 — — — — —
2014–15 Brynäs IF SHL 11 0 3 3 4 — — — — —
2014–15 Ilves Liiga 10 2 5 7 2 — — — — —
2015–16 LeKi Mestis 3 0 0 0 0 — — — — —
2015–16 HC Fassa ITA 19 12 13 25 10 5 2 3 5 6
2016–17 Yunost Minsk BLR 39 7 34 41 22 13 2 3 5 4
Liiga totals 441 79 169 248 176 22 1 7 8 2

International

Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2003 Finland WJC 3rd place, bronze medalist(s) 7 1 3 4 0
Junior totals 7 1 3 4 0

References

  1. ^ "Jesse Niinimaki player biography". The Sports Network. February 3, 2010. Retrieved February 3, 2010.
  2. ^ JARI NIINIMÄKI - HAN SPETSADE AIK:s ANFALL I HÖSTSPURTEN 1986 at AIK official website, retrieved 12-12-2016 (in Swedish)
Awards and achievements
Preceded by Edmonton Oilers first round draft pick
2002 		Succeeded by