Sami Helenius

Infobox Ice Hockey Player
team = Jokerit
former_teams = "NHL"
Calgary Flames
Tampa Bay Lightning
Colorado Avalanche
Dallas Stars
Chicago Blackhawks
"SM-liiga"
Ilves
Pelicans
league = SM-liiga
position = Defence
shoots = Left
height_ft = 6
height_in = 5
weight_lb = 233
nationality = FIN
birth_date = Birth date and age|1974|1|22|mf=y
birth_place = Helsinki, FIN
draft = 102nd overall
draft_year = 1992
draft_team = Calgary Flames
career_start = 1992

Sami Helenius (born January 22, 1974 in Helsinki, Finland) is an ice hockey defenceman. He was drafted by the Calgary Flames as their fifth-round pick, #102 overall, in the 1992 NHL Entry Draft.

Helenius started his professional career in Jokerit in the Finnish SM-liiga in 1992, and made his way to North America for the 1994-95 season, and after spending five years mostly in the minor leagues, Helenius took his place as an NHL defenceman, playing for several teams. Helenius is one of the few Europeans to play in an enforcer role in North-American hockey leagues.

In 2003 he returned to Finland to play in the SM-liiga again. After a year with Jokerit where he served as team captain, Helenius represented both Ilves and Pelicans before returning to Jokerit after the 2006–07 season.

Career statistics

International play

References

* [http://www.hockeydb.com Hockeydb.com]
* [http://www.jatkoaika.com Jatkoaika.com player profile]
* [http://www.nhlfinns.com/players.aspx?pid=16 Sami Helenius] on nhlfinns.com