Janne Niskala

Infobox Ice Hockey Player


image_size =
team = Tampa Bay Lightning
league = NHL
position = Defence
shoots = Left
height_ft = 6
height_in = 0
weight_lb = 198
nickname =
nationality = FIN
birth_date = birth date and age|1981|9|22
birth_place = Västerås, SWE
draft = 147th overall
draft_year = 2004
draft_team = Nashville Predators
career_start = 2000

Janne Niskala (born September 22, 1981 in Västerås, Sweden) is a Finnish professional ice hockey defenceman, currently with the Tampa Bay Lightning in the National Hockey League (NHL). He was born in Sweden but is of Finnish nationality.

Playing career

Niskala was drafted by the Nashville Predators in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft in 5th round as the 147th pick overall. He is known for his good offensive skills and his power play scoring ability.cite web | title=Janne Niskala | publisher=Elite Prospects | url=http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=4278&lang=en | accessdate=2007-05-22]

Niskala has played in Finland for the SM-liiga club Lukko for five seasons. During the 2000-01 season he played in the Finnish second tier division but also for the British club Manchester Storm. He has spent one season with the Swiss club EV Zug and one for the Swedish Elitserien club Färjestads BK. In Sweden he was reunited with his former team mate from Lukko, Esa Pirnes. During the 2006-07 season in Sweden, Niskala led all defensemen in both points and goals. He also finished first in the plus/minus statistics with a plus-25 rating.

Following his big season with Färjestad, Niskala signed a one-year contract with the NHL's Nashville Predators, but spent the entire 2007-08 season with the farm team Milwaukee Admirals.

Niskala was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers on June 24, 2008 in exchange for Triston Grant and a 7th round Draft pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. On June 30, 2008, he was traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning for a 6th round Draft pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.

He scored a goal in his first NHL preseason game on September 20th, 2008 for against the Penguins.

Awards

* Silver medal at the World Junior Championships in 2001.
* Named SM-liiga Player of the Month in November 2003.
* Bronze medal at the World Championships in 2008.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

International

References

External links

*eurohockey|12395
*hockeydb|54503