Sami Salo

Infobox Ice Hockey Player


image_size=
team=Vancouver Canucks
former_teams = Ottawa Senators
TPS
league = NHL
position = Defence
shoots = Right
jersey number = 6
height_ft = 6
height_in = 3
weight_lb = 215
nickname = Finnish MacInnis, Slammin' Sami
nationality = FIN
birth_date = birth date and age|1974|9|2
birth_place = Turku, FIN
draft = 239th overall
draft_year = 1996
draft_team = Ottawa Senators
career_start = 1994MedalTop

Sami Salo (born September 2, 1974, in Turku, Finland) is a Finnish professional ice hockey defenceman with the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League.

Playing career

Salo was drafted by the Ottawa Senators in the 1996 NHL Entry Draft as their ninth-round pick, the last player selected in that year's draft. He started his pro career with TPS in the Finnish SM-liiga. After a season with Jokerit, Salo left for North America and the Ottawa Senators.

In Salo's rookie campaign with the Senators, he was named to the All-Rookie Team. As a Senator, Salo showed he could successfully produce offensively, but was often injured in his four seasons with the team. In the off-season preceding 2002–03, Salo was traded to the Vancouver Canucks for forward Peter Schaefer. Since the trade, Salo has established himself as a top four defenceman, continuing to contribute offensively. During the lockout, Salo played for Frölunda HC in the Swedish Elitserien, and returned to Vancouver for the 2005–06 NHL season.

Goalie Curtis Joseph has nicknamed Salo the "Finnish MacInnis" for the devastating slapshot he shares with retired NHL defenceman Al MacInnis. Salo has routinely topped the Canucks in the team's Superskills' hardest shot category. In the 2006 Canucks Superskills contest, Salo recorded a 100.0 mph slapper. Salo's slapshot is his best offensive weapon, subsequently creating many chances on the Canucks' power play. After scoring, he has been known to make a hand gesture dubbed "The Tickler," to the amusement of his teammates.

Salo's primary downfall in his NHL play has been his succeptibility to injury. Throughout his career, Salo has failed to play a full season for either the Senators or Canucks; most recently, in the 2007–08 season, Salo suffered wrist and facial injuries, keeping him from 19 games.

Salo represented Team Finland at the 2006 Winter Olympics, but was forced to retire from the tournament after injuring his shoulder in a collision with teammate Ville Peltonen.

Transactions

* June 22, 1996 - Drafted by Ottawa Senators in the 9th round, 239th overall.
* September 21, 2002 - Traded to the Vancouver Canucks for Peter Schaefer.
* March 29, 2007 - Signed a contract extension with the Canucks for 4 years.

Awards

* 1998–99 - Named to the NHL all-rookie team
* 2005–06 - Won Olympic silver medal (FIN)

Career statistics

International play

International statistics

External links

*hockeydb|40218
* [http://www.forecaster.ca/hockeynews/hockey/_qdphcjr4nho6/player.cgi?1550 Sami Salo at Hockey News]