Juuso Riikola
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Joensuu, Finland
| Juuso Riikola | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 Riikola with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2019 | |||
| Born |
9 November 1993 Joensuu, Finland | ||
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) | ||
| Weight | 189 lb (86 kg; 13 st 7 lb) | ||
| Position | Defence | ||
| Shoots | Left | ||
| NL team Former teams |
SCL Tigers KalPa Pittsburgh Penguins IK Oskarshamn | ||
| National team |
 Finland | ||
| NHL draft | Undrafted | ||
| Playing career | 2012–present | ||
Juuso Riikola (born 9 November 1993) is a Finnish professional ice hockey defenseman currently playing with SCL Tigers of the National League (NL). His brother, Simo-Pekka, also played professionally.
Riikola made his SM-liiga debut playing with KalPa as a 19-year-old during the 2012–13 SM-liiga season.[1] He dressed for 20 games while posting 6 assists from the blueline.
In his sixth season with KalPa in 2017–18, and while serving as an alternate captain, Riikola scored a career high 8 goals for 24 points in 59 games.
On 17 May 2018, as an undrafted free agent, Riikola signed a one-year, entry-level deal with the Pittsburgh Penguins of the NHL for a reported $925,000.[2] He made his NHL debut on 11 October 2018 against the Vegas Golden Knights at PPG Paints Arena.[3] Riikola recorded his first career NHL point, an assist, on 28 November against the Colorado Avalanche.[4] He scored his first NHL goal on 29 December 2018 against the St. Louis Blues.[5]
On 30 May 2019, the Penguins re-signed Riikola to a one-year, one-way contract extension worth $850,000.[6] On 16 October 2019, against the Colorado Avalanche, Riikola played as a left winger due to injuries to several Penguins forwards.[7]
On 5 September 2020, the Penguins signed Riikola to a two-year, $2.3 million extension.[8]
After four seasons within the Penguins organization and as a pending free agent, Riikola opted to return to Europe to secure a one-year contract with Swedish club, IK Oskarshamn of the SHL, on 25 May 2022.[9]
International play
Riikola played for the Finland national team at the 2018 IIHF World Championship.[10]