Henri Jokiharju (born 17 June 1999) is a Finnish professional ice hockey defenseman currently playing for the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League (NHL). Jokiharju was selected 29th overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in the first round of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft.[1]
Henri Jokiharju | |||
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Born |
(1999-06-17) 17 June 1999 (age 23) Oulu, Finland | ||
Height | 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) | ||
Weight | 199 lb (90 kg; 14 st 3 lb) | ||
Position | Defense | ||
Shoots | Right | ||
NHL team Former teams |
Buffalo Sabres Chicago Blackhawks | ||
National team |
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NHL Draft |
29th overall, 2017 Chicago Blackhawks | ||
Playing career | 2018–present |
Jokiharju was brought up first in the Jokerit youth program, playing for their under-16 and under-18 teams in 2013-14 and 2014–15, respectively, before joining the under-18 and under-20 teams of Tappara in 2015–16. In his draft eligible year, 2016–17, Jokiharju went to play for the Portland Winterhawks of the Western Hockey League (WHL).[2] He posted nine goals and 39 assists in 71 games for a total of 48 points. In the playoffs, the Winterhawks defeated the Prince George Cougars in six games before dropping out in five to the Kelowna Rockets, with Jokiharju adding three assists in 11 games during the playoff run. Jokiharju was named to the Western Conference Second-Team All-Star during the 2017–18 season.[3]
On 12 June 2018, Jokiharju signed a three-year contract with the Chicago Blackhawks.[4] After participating at the Blackhawks training camp, Jokiharju made his NHL debut on 4 October in the Blackhawks' season opener against the Ottawa Senators.[5] In his second game, Jokiharju recorded his first NHL point with an assist on captain Jonathan Toews' goal in a 5–4 overtime win over the St. Louis Blues.[6]
On 9 July 2019, Jokiharju was traded by the Blackhawks to the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for fellow first-rounder, Alexander Nylander.[7]
On 1 November 2019, Jokiharju scored his first career goal against the Washington Capitals.
On 2 September 2021, Jokiharju signed a three-year, $7.5 million contract with the Sabres.[8]
Both his father and brother also play hockey. His father Juha played professional hockey with Jokerit in the SM-liiga and Skellefteå AIK in the Swedish Hockey League while his older brother Juho played NCAA hockey at Clarkson University from 2015-2019.[9]
Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
2015–16 | Tappara | Jr. A | 47 | 9 | 20 | 29 | 20 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | ||
2016–17 | Portland Winterhawks | WHL | 71 | 9 | 39 | 48 | 38 | 11 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 4 | ||
2017–18 | Portland Winterhawks | WHL | 63 | 12 | 59 | 71 | 14 | 12 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 2 | ||
2018–19 | Chicago Blackhawks | NHL | 38 | 0 | 12 | 12 | 16 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
2018–19 | Rockford IceHogs | AHL | 30 | 2 | 15 | 17 | 14 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
2019–20 | Buffalo Sabres | NHL | 69 | 4 | 11 | 15 | 32 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
2020–21 | Buffalo Sabres | NHL | 46 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
2021–22 | Buffalo Sabres | NHL | 60 | 3 | 16 | 19 | 20 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
NHL totals | 213 | 10 | 44 | 54 | 72 | — | — | — | — | — |
Medal record | ||
---|---|---|
Ice hockey | ||
Representing ![]() | ||
World Championships | ||
![]() | 2019 Slovakia | |
World Junior Championships | ||
![]() | 2019 Canada | |
IIHF World U18 Championship | ||
![]() | 2016 United States |
Year | Team | Event | Result | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2015 | Finland | IH18 | 4th | 5 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | |
2015 | Finland | U17 | 5th | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | |
2016 | Finland | U18 | ![]() |
7 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 10 | |
2018 | Finland | WJC | 6th | 5 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 | |
2019 | Finland | WJC | ![]() |
7 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 2 | |
2019 | Finland | WC | ![]() |
10 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 2 | |
Junior totals | 29 | 5 | 10 | 15 | 16 | ||||
Senior totals | 10 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 2 |
Award | Year | |
---|---|---|
WHL | ||
West Second All-Star Team | 2018 |
Awards and achievements | ||
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Preceded by | Chicago Blackhawks first round draft pick 2017 |
Succeeded by |
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