29-year-old Finnish hockey player is victim of tragic and disturbing crime in his hometown
The hockey world's lost a lot of talent this season, as we add another to the tragic list of deaths in 2024.
This comes from Finland, as Janne Puhakka, a Finnish hockey player who ended his playing career in 2018 was found dead in his home.
Puhakka wasn't known in North America but did play in the QMJHL with Chicoutimi, scoring 69 points in 131 games in the junior league.
He played in the SM-Liiga with his hometown Espoo Blue in 2015-2016, and would later play in the Mestis League, which is the 2nd highest level of play in his native country of Finland.
He'd play for the TuTo Turku, and end his career in France, playing for the Gap HC.
Puhakka was the first openly gay hockey player in Finland, who played in the SM-Liiga and Mestis was found dead at the age of 29.
Finnish News Agency, Ilta-Sanomat reported that Puhakka was found in his house, cold and unresponsive. Puhakka was found in this state, thanks to a local citizen who called to check in on Puhakka.
His former partner Rudolf Nordmo, would later surrender himself to the authorities without any troubles in regards to Puhakka's passing. According to Lead Investigator Mattis Hogman, Nordmo is the only suspect they have in the former hockey player's death so far.
Due to the grimness of the crime, the maximum punishment for Puhakka's death will be explored.
Police said the death was a h*******e and suspected Nordmo was the shooter. He was arrested at the scene without incident
We at New York Rangers Insider are troubled by the senseless and brutal crime and extend our sympathy for the loss of Janne Puhakka to his family, and friends.
| POLL | ||
Will the Espoo Blues, and SM-Liiga pay tribute to Janne Puhakka's contributions to the league? | ||
| Yes | 36 | 63.2 % |
| No | 21 | 36.8 % |
| List of polls | ||
