Juuso Riikola

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.

Juuso Riikola
Riikola with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2019
Born	(1993-11-09) 9 November 1993 (age 31) 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

Playing career

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]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2010–11	KalPa	Jr. A		28	3	7	10	24		—	—	—	—	—
2011–12	KalPa	Jr. A		37	4	9	13	65		8	2	1	3	6
2012–13	KalPa	Jr. A		14	2	3	5	12		—	—	—	—	—
2012–13	KalPa	SM-l		20	0	6	6	6		—	—	—	—	—
2013–14	KalPa	Liiga		54	1	4	5	28		—	—	—	—	—
2013–14	KalPa	Jr. A		6	0	2	2	10		—	—	—	—	—
2014–15	KalPa	Liiga		40	6	8	14	24		4	1	0	1	25
2014–15	KalPa	Jr. A		1	0	0	0	2		—	—	—	—	—
2015–16	KalPa	Liiga		51	5	10	15	24		3	0	1	1	2
2016–17	KalPa	Liiga		59	6	19	25	28		18	1	6	7	4
2017–18	KalPa	Liiga		59	8	16	24	14		6	0	1	1	4
2018–19	Pittsburgh Penguins	NHL		37	2	3	5	10		—	—	—	—	—
2018–19	Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins	AHL		5	0	2	2	0		—	—	—	—	—
2019–20	Pittsburgh Penguins	NHL		36	1	6	7	6		—	—	—	—	—
2020–21	Pittsburgh Penguins	NHL		2	0	0	0	0		—	—	—	—	—
2021–22	Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins	AHL		53	1	34	35	24		6	0	0	0	0
2021–22	Pittsburgh Penguins	NHL		5	0	1	1	2		—	—	—	—	—
2022–23	IK Oskarshamn	SHL		42	2	17	19	16		2	0	0	0	0
2023–24	SCL Tigers	NL		43	3	14	17	20		—	—	—	—	—
Liiga totals				283	26	63	89	124		31	2	8	10	35
NHL totals				80	3	10	13	18		—	—	—	—	—

International

Year	Team	Event	Result		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2013	Finland	WJC	7th		6	0	1	1	4
2018	Finland	WC	5th		8	0	2	2	4
2024	Finland	WC	8th		8	1	1	2	4
Junior totals					6	0	1	1	4
Senior totals					16	1	3	4	8