Mikko Lehtonen (ice hockey, born 1978)

Mikko Lehtonen ( born June 12, 1978 in Kiiminki ) is a Finnish professional ice hockey player who is since January 2010 Kärpät Oulu in the SM- liiga under contract.

  • 2.1 International

Career

Mikko Lehtonen started his career as a hockey player in the junior department of Kärpät Oulu, for the first team he made his debut in the I- divisioona, the Finnish second division was in season 1998/99. In two games, he stuck to it point by point and with impunity. In the following season with the team as second division champions he achieved promotion to the SM- liiga. In the seasons 2003/ 04 and 2004/ 05 the defender won with each Kärpät the Finnish championship, after he had already become runner up in the 2002/03 season with the team. For the 2006/07 season the Finn has signed a contract with the Nashville Predators, who had chosen him already in the NHL Entry Draft in the ninth round in 2001 when a total of 271 players. For the Predators in 15 games he scored in the National Hockey League a goal and two assists. In parallel, he played 35 games for their farm team Milwaukee Admirals in the American Hockey League, where he in 35 games twelve points scorer, which contributed four goals. On 27 February 2007 he was transferred in exchange for a fourth- round option for the NHL Entry Draft in 2007 to the Buffalo Sabres, but then played exclusively for their AHL farm team Rochester Americans.

For the 2007/08 season Lehtonen returned back to his home club Kärpät Oulu, with whom he again won the Finnish championship. He could convince himself and was elected to the All-Star team in the league. For the 2008/ 09 season of the long-standing international joined the Timrå IK in the Swedish Elitserien. There he was appointed immediately to the assistant captain and scored in a total of 48 games 15 goals and 17 assists. For the following season the Finn of Timrås League rivals Frölunda HC was obliged, in which, however, he could not prevail. After three goals and an assist in just nine games, he returned in January 2010 one more time Kärpät Oulu in the SM- liiga back. Since the season 2010/11 he is also at Kärpät assistant captain.

Internationally

For Finland took Lehtonen part in the World Championships in 2006 and 2009. In addition, it was 2003, 2006, 2008 and 2009 in the squad of his country at the Euro Hockey Tour. At the 2006 World Championships he won the bronze medal with his team.

Awards and achievements

  • 2000 promotion to the SM- liiga with Kärpät Oulu
  • 2003 Finnish runner with Kärpät Oulu
  • 2004 Finnish Champion with Kärpät Oulu
  • 2005 Finnish Champion with Kärpät Oulu
  • 2008 Finnish Champion with Kärpät Oulu
  • 2008 SM liiga All-Star Team

Internationally

  • 2006 bronze medal at the World Championships

Statistics

(End of season 2010/11)

572193
de