Juha Leimu

Juha Leimu (born January 30, 1983, in Tampere, Finland) is a retired Finnish professional ice hockey defenceman.

Juha Leimu
Born	(1983-01-30) January 30, 1983 (age 42) Tampere, Finland
Height	6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight	190 lb (86 kg; 13 st 8 lb)
Position	Defence
Shot	Left
Played for	Tappara Pelicans Ilves
National team	Finland
NHL draft	undrafted
Playing career	2003–2019

Playing career

Leimu broke into the SM-liiga during the 2009–10 season, joining Tappara on an eight-game trial after starting the year with Lempäälän Kisa. His strong play earned him a contract for the remainder of the season,^[1] where he tallied 24 points in 36 games. In May 2010, he signed a three-year extension with the team.^[2] The following season, 2010–11, he posted his best career numbers, scoring 12 goals and adding 31 points in 50 games.

Following the end of his contract with Tappara, Leimu signed a two-year deal with the Pelicans on April 26, 2013.^[3] In his first season with Lahti, he led all Pelicans defensemen in goals, scoring 10. During the 2013–14 playoffs, Leimu netted the overtime winner in Game 2, securing a first-round series victory over HIFK.^[4]

Ahead of the 2014–15 season, Leimu was appointed as the team's captain.^[5] Throughout the season, he missed several stretches of play because of injuries^[6][7] but still managed to tally 16 points over 40 games. On November 20, 2014, he agreed to a two-year contract extension with the Pelicans.^[8]

Leimu set a Liiga record for the quickest hat-trick, netting three power-play goals in only 44 seconds during a 5–6 overtime defeat to JYP Jyväskylä on December 15, 2015.^[9] That same season, he led all defensemen in the league with 16 goals.

In 2011, Juha Leimu earned the opportunity to represent the Finland national team, appearing in an international exhibition game against Slovakia.^[10]

Career statistics

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1998–99	Ilves U16	U16 SM-sarja		29	28	22	50	18		3	1	0	1	0
1999–00	Ilves U18	U18 SM-sarja		24	5	4	9	2		—	—	—	—	—
2000–01	Ilves U18	U18 SM-sarja		36	17	21	38	26		—	—	—	—	—
2001–02	Ilves U20	U20 SM-liiga		15	7	3	10	4		—	—	—	—	—
2002–03	Ilves U20	U20 SM-liiga		4	3	0	3	0		—	—	—	—	—
2003–04	Ilves U20	U20 SM-liiga		37	15	12	27	14		—	—	—	—	—
2004–05	Koovee	Suomi-sarja		19	7	4	11	10		—	—	—	—	—
2005–06	Koovee	Suomi-sarja		27	9	7	16	12		9	1	1	2	12
2006–07	LeKi	Suomi-sarja		34	18	31	49	44		6	8	2	10	6
2007–08	LeKi	Mestis		43	9	9	18	40		3	0	1	1	2
2008–09	LeKi	Mestis		42	13	16	29	44		3	0	2	2	6
2009–10	LeKi	Mestis		13	4	7	11	10		—	—	—	—	—
2009–10	Tappara	SM-liiga		36	7	17	24	16		7	3	2	5	2
2010–11	Tappara	SM-liiga		50	12	19	31	40		—	—	—	—	—
2011–12	Tappara	SM-liiga		24	2	2	4	20		—	—	—	—	—
2011–12	LeKi	Mestis		1	0	0	0	0		—	—	—	—	—
2012–13	Tappara	SM-liiga		57	7	15	22	55		15	1	1	2	6
2013–14	Lahti Pelicans	Liiga		48	10	10	20	32		8	2	1	3	8
2014–15	Lahti Pelicans	Liiga		40	6	10	16	34		—	—	—	—	—
2015–16	Lahti Pelicans	Liiga		51	16	18	34	12		9	3	2	5	0
2016–17	Lahti Pelicans	Liiga		31	11	6	17	4		5	0	2	2	2
2017–18	Lahti Pelicans	Liiga		43	2	8	10	28		3	1	2	3	2
2018–19	Ilves	Liiga		38	2	7	9	22		4	0	0	0	0
Liiga totals				418	75	112	187	263		51	10	10	20	20