Juha Leimu

Juha Leimu
Born (1983-01-30) January 30, 1983
Tampere, FIN
Height 6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight 190 lb (86 kg; 13 st 8 lb)
Position Defense
SM-liiga team Pelicans
NHL Draft undrafted
Playing career 2003–present

Juha Leimu (born January 30, 1983 in Tampere, Finland) is a Finnish professional ice hockey defenseman who is currently playing for Pelicans of the SM-liiga.

Playing career

Leimu made his SM-liiga debut in 2009-10 when he was offered an eight-game trial period with Tappara having spent the start of the season in Lempäälän Kisa. After the tryout his contract was extended for the rest of the season. [1] Leimu recorded 24 points in 36 games and was awarded a three-year extension in May 2010.[2] In 2010-11 Leimu had his career season with 12 goals and 31 points in 50 games.

After his contract with Tappara expired, Pelicans signed Leimu to a two-year contract on April 26, 2013.[3] During his opening season in Lahti Leimu led all Pelicans defencemen in goals scored with 10. In the 2013-14 playoffs Leimu scored the overtime goal in Game 2 that eliminated HIFK in the opening round.[4]

Prior the 2014-15 season Leimu was named the team captain.[5] Leimu was sidelined on multiple occasions during the season due to injuries[6][7] and recorded 16 points in 40 games. On November 20, 2014 he signed a two-year contract extension with Pelicans.[8]

Leimu holds the Liiga record for fastest hat-trick when he scored 3 goals in just 44 seconds vs JYP Jyväskylä on December 15th, 2015. JYP's Anssi Löfman and Nolan Yonkman took match penalties within one minute. The first two goals were scored on a 2-man advantage that resulted and the 3rd was scored on a power-play to make the game 5-3 in favor of the Pelicans.[9] JYP would spoil the celebration by rallying to beat the Pelicans in overtime 6-5.

References

  1. ↑ http://liiga.fi/uutiset/2009/12/11/juha-leimu-loppukauden-tapparassa
  2. ↑ http://www.iltasanomat.fi/jaakiekko/art-1288335779989.html
  3. ↑ http://yle.fi/urheilu/pelicans_hankki_viivapelotteen_tapparan_hopeajoukkueesta/6608206
  4. ↑ http://www.iltasanomat.fi/sm-liiga/art-1288666155026.html
  5. ↑ http://www.ess.fi/urheilu/itshockeytime/2014/08/28/kapteenin-c-kirjainta-rintaansa-sovitteleva-juha-leimu-karsinyt-pienista-vaivoista
  6. ↑ http://www.suomikiekko.com/2014/09/pelicansin-harjoitusotteluissa-valaytellyt-kaksikko-viikoiksi-sivuun/
  7. ↑ http://www.jatkoaika.com/Uutiset/pelicansin-kapteeni-telakalle/164227
  8. ↑ http://www.pelicans.fi/uutinen/kapteeni-juha-leimu-jatkaa-pelicansissa
  9. ↑ http://www.ksml.fi/urheilu/kiekko/pelicansin-juha-leimu-iskussa-syntyiko-hippoksen-illassa-hurja-ennatys/2195804

External links


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